Oak Leaf Thorn Apple, Datura quercifolia
Mimbres Culture Heritage Site
Mimbres Valley, New Mexico
October 15, 2013
Datura quercifolia, Oak Leaf Thorn Apple, was in fruit in October 2013. The photograph above was taken in Mimbres and the ones below in Hillsboro. Like all Daturas it has a very pretty flower and like all Daturas every bit of the plant is toxic to humans and most mammals - very toxic. Even handling the plant can cause an allergic reaction.
As with most plant species, there are multiple common names for this Datura species, among them are; Oak Leaf Datura and Chinese Thorn Apple. Datura ferox, Datura gigantea, and Datura villosa are scientific synonyms for this species.
The appearance of the seed of this particular Datura species is often likened to the human brain. A rather close resemblance.
This species has a limited range within the lower 48 of the United States, as shown on the BONAP map to the right. The light green color indicates that the species is native to and and not rare within, the county indicated. The intermediate green color indicates introduction to the area.
Photograph immediately above and all below:
October 15, 2013 - Hillsboro, NM
