What does jimsonweed mean?
Jimsonweed is the common North American name for Datura stramonium, a fast-growing annual plant in the nightshade family. It has broad, unevenly toothed leaves, large white or pale violet trumpet-shaped flowers, and egg-shaped seed capsules covered with rigid spines. Every part of the plant contains potent tropane alkaloids, making accidental ingestion medically serious. Symptoms can include dilated pupils, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, coma, and death. Jimsonweed is most often encountered as a troublesome weed in disturbed soil, fields, gardens, and roadside areas. The plant is native to the Americas but occurs widely in temperate and warm regions elsewhere. Its distinctive name is generally connected with Jamaica, where European colonists are said to have encountered the plant and recorded its effects. In modern writing, jimsonweed is encountered chiefly in botany, agricultural extension services, emergency medicine, and public-health warnings about accidental poisoning.
nounJimsonweed is a poisonous annual plant of the nightshade family, with pale trumpet-shaped flowers and spiny seed capsules. It is also called jimson weed and is highly toxic when ingested.
- A poisonous annual herb of the nightshade family, botanically known as Datura stramonium, characterized by trumpet-shaped flowers and spiny seed capsules.
"The gardener removed the jimsonweed growing beside the fence before its seed capsules split open."
"Wildflowers and jimsonweed grew along the abandoned railway line."
"Public health officials warned residents not to handle or consume jimsonweed after several children were poisoned."
The plural is uncommon in ordinary writing but is grammatically regular when referring to multiple plants or separate infestations.
"Several jimsonweeds were growing along the drainage ditch."
Jimsonweed is famous for its dangerous mind-altering toxins: every part of the plant can cause delirium, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, and potentially fatal poisoning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jimsonweed come from?
The name "jimsonweed" is generally understood as an alteration of "Jamaica," referring to the plant's connection with Jamaica and with accounts of its toxicity recorded there. The alternative spelling "jimson weed" preserves the older two-word form. The botanical name Datura stramonium comes from the established Latin genus Datura and the traditional specific epithet stramonium.
How jimsonweed is actually used
Usually written as one word in North American usage, though "jimson weed" is also common. The term is chiefly regional, and references to the plant should emphasize its toxicity; ingestion of any part can cause severe or fatal effects.
Easily confused with jimsonweed
Thorn apple is a common name for jimsonweed and often refers specifically to the plant's spiny seed capsule, although it can also be used for the whole plant.