36. JIMSONWEED, THORNAPPLE

Datura stramonium

(nightshade family)

TOXICITY RATING: High. The plant and seeds are extremely toxic, this plant is abused as a hallucinogen in humans, and deaths in humans and animals have been reported.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: All animals (including pets and poultry) may be affected.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: All parts, especially seeds.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Dilated pupils, agitation, trembling, delirium, may appear to be experiencing hallucinations, convulsions (which may be violent), coma, and possible death. Abortions and birth defects have also been reported.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: This stout, coarse annual (fig. 36) grows to 5 feet tall with strongly-scented, coarsely toothed, green or purplish alternate leaves. The large trumpet-shaped flowers are white or purplish and are formed singly at the forks in the stems. The fruits are hard, spiny capsules (fig. 36) which split open along four lines at maturity to release numerous tiny black seeds. Jimsonweed commonly grows in cultivated fields, waste areas, barnyards, abandoned pastures, roadsides, and feedlots. Other Datura species (angel's-trumpets) are grown as ornamentals.

SIGNS: Animals will avoid eating Jimsonweed whenever possible. Even when forages are scarce, animals are reluctant to consume this plant. For animals, the danger lies primarily in the consumption of seeds that contaminate prepared feeds (hay, silage, grains, processed feeds). The plants may become palatable after the application of herbicides, thus greatly increasing the risk of toxicosis.

Once the plant is consumed, signs become apparent within a few minutes up to several hours. The alkaloids in Jimsonweed act on the central nervous system as well as the autonomic nervous system that controls bodily functions. Animals may seek water to drink, have dilated pupils, become agitated, may exhibit increased heart rate, tremble, become delirious, may appear to be experiencing hallucinations, have convulsions (which may be violent), become comatose, and possibly die. Consumption of Jimsonweed during gestation may result in abortions or birth defects.

Jimsonweed contains many toxic components, in particular the alkaloids, including atropine, hyoscyamine, and hyoscine (scopolamine). As much as 0.7% of the fresh weight of the leaves may be the toxic alkaloids, which is a very large quantity. The seeds are the greatest risk, with alkaloid concentrations believed to be greater than the leaves and stems, and even the nectar is toxic.

FIRST AID: Prevent further exposure to the plant or contaminated feed. Exercise caution when working with affected animals to avoid human injury. Contact a veterinarian if signs are severe, since there are medications that can counteract the effects of the toxin. Also, if consumption was recent, contact a veterinarian quickly, since it may be possible to evacuate a large amount of the plant from the digestive tract before the toxicosis becomes severe. For less severely affected animals (a veterinarian will be able to assist in determining this), the clinical signs will resolve within a day or two, so keep animals quiet and undisturbed.

SAFETY IN FEEDS: Jimsonweed remains toxic when dry, therefore feeds are not safe for consumption. The small black seeds are very toxic and may contaminate prepared or processed feeds. Toxic signs will occur even when good forage is fed, and there is no reported "safe" quantity of Jimsonweed that can be fed.

PREVENTION: Do not allow animals to graze on Jimsonweed. Provide adequate forage whenever animals are in contact with the growing plants. If the plants are treated with herbicides, make sure they are completely dead prior to introducing animals to the pasture. Use caution when harvesting feeds, especially near the edges of fields where Jimsonweed is likely to grow. In this way, incorporation of the plant or the seeds into the feeds will be prevented. When buying processed feeds, only work with reputable dealers.