Flower profile

Jimsonweed

Datura stramonium

Introduced in the lower 48

Jimsonweed is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 5 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in June–October.

48states

5of our state lists

17,619U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia

Quick look

Datura stramonium, known by the common names thornapple, jimsonweed or stink blade, is a poisonous flowering plant in the Daturae tribe of the nightshade family Solanaceae. Its likely origin was in Central America, and it has been introduced in many world regions. It is an aggressive invasive weed in temperate climates and tropical climates across the world. D.
From Wikipedia's article Datura stramonium, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Solanaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a annual life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 48 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as not native to Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and Rhode Island. ^NatureServe
In Virginia, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–October. ^iNaturalist
In Maryland, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–November. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,742 research-grade sightings of it in Virginia, ranking #97 among the 110 flowers on our Virginia list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,700 research-grade sightings of it in Maryland, ranking #73 among the 110 flowers on our Maryland list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,198 research-grade sightings of it in New Jersey, ranking #76 among the 110 flowers on our New Jersey list. ^iNaturalist

Jimsonweed gift ideas

Handmade jimsonweed gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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Jimsonweed art print
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Jimsonweed mug
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Jimsonweed earrings
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Jimsonweed embroidery pattern
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Jimsonweed sticker
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,212 records)

Bloom time in each of our 5 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Virginia	Introduced	June–October	1,742
Maryland	Introduced	June–November	1,700
New Jersey	Introduced	June–October	1,198
Delaware	Introduced	few records	223
Rhode Island	Introduced	few records	210

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: GU Unrankable worldwide. ^NatureServe
Virginia: Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Virginia. ^2VAC5-320-10
Maryland: Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maryland. ^{COMAR 08.03.08}
New Jersey: Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Jersey. ^{N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1}
Delaware: Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Delaware. ^{DE rare plants 2024}
Rhode Island: Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Rhode Island. ^{RI rare plants 2016}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “Ingestion can cause dilated pupils, fever, excessive thirst, loss of coordination, confusion, flushed skin, hallucinations, delirium, rapid and weak pulse, labored respirations, convulsions, and coma. Inhaling the scent of the flowers can cause headache and…” They also note: “Toxic if ingested” ^{NC State Extension}

For petsCan be a problem for cats, children, dogs and horses

NC State Extension flags it as a problem for cats, children, dogs and horses. It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. ^{NC State Extension}

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records jimsonweed in 48 states plus Washington, D.C.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Virginia counties with USDA records: Accomack, Albemarle, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Augusta, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesapeake , Chesterfield, Clarke, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Gloucester, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Hampton , Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Highland, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Montgomery, Nelson, New Kent, Newport News , Northampton, Northumberland, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Prince William, Pulaski, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Suffolk , Surry, Sussex, Tazewell, Virginia Beach , Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, Wythe, York.

Maryland counties with USDA records: Dorchester.

New Jersey counties with USDA records: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren.

More Virginia flowers

Carolina horsenettle

Solanum carolinense

Native

🌼 Blooms in VA: May–September

Bittersweet nightshade

Solanum dulcamara

Introduced

🌼 Blooms: May–September

American pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Native

🌼 Blooms in VA: June–September

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile DAST.
iNaturalist, Datura stramonium: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Datura stramonium (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Virginia: Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10).
Virginia: Virginia noxious weeds (2VAC5-317-20, Tier 1, 2 and 3).
Maryland: Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08).
Maryland: Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List (COMAR 15.06.04.06; MDA, updated July 2026).
New Jersey: New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1).
New Jersey: New Jersey prohibited invasive plant species (Invasive Species Management Act; propagation banned from Jan 1, 2027, sale from Jan 1, 2030).
Delaware: Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list).
Delaware: Delaware Invasive Plant List (3 Del. Admin. Code § 806-3.0).
Rhode Island: Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Datura stramonium (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
Photo: Patrick Hanly via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.