Datura discolor – Desert Datura (seed)

Description

A species of Datura originally from North America. Datura discolor is an herbaceous annual plant native to the Sonoran Desert of western North America, where it grows in sandy soils and washes. Wikipedia page.

The flowers blossom in the evening, giving off a sweet, delicate scent. The fruits are green and spiny, and contain many black seeds. Datura discolor is found across the American Southwest and in northern Mexico. It has also occasionally been found in the Carribean. It is cultivated in Egypt as a source of pharmaceutical scopolamine (Ratsch 1998, 194-195) (from Entheology).

Like all Daturas, this species contains atropine, hyoscine (scopolamine), hyoscyamine and should be handled with care. Datura discolor is considered one of the most potent Datura species.

Care and Cultivation of Datura discolor

Seed can be sown in spring/summer/autumn. Sow 3-5mm under the surface of a well drained seed raising mix. This species responds well to GA3 treatment (mix as instructed and soak overnight before rinsing and planting as per instructions). Datura discolor does not mind being transplanted. Prefers a full sun and well-drained position. Fertilise regularly over the growing season to encourage flowers. This species has a perennial rootstock that can survive over winter if it is kept frost free.

If there are no germination after 3 weeks, try letting the soil dry out, disturb and dig the soil surface, pat back down and then start watering again. This should stimulate germination. You can repeat as needed.

10 seeds per packet

Shipping restrictions: Not to WA/TAS