Facts
  • Jimson Weed (Datura spp.)
    • Coarse-looking poisonous plant that contains chemicals such as atropine and scopolamine is sometimes called stinkweed, locoweed and moonflower
    • Contains prickly fruit pods that are split into four chambers containing seeds
    • Seed pods are spiny capsules up to 2 inches long.
    • Large leaves with irregular teeth, large purple stems and solitary white or purplish trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the evening are hallmark ways to identify this plant.
    • The plant smells bad when crushed.
    • Poisonings generally increase in late summer and fall (April to October) when jimson weed plants are at their peak.
  • Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
    • Should not be confused with nicotine
    • All parts of Tree Tobacco are poisonous.
    • Grow in bush- or tree-form that often reach 25 feet in height
    • Leaves alternate, simple, white-waxy.
      Flowers tubular, cream or yellow-green, 5-lobed at the top.
      Fruit is a capsule.

 

Causes of Injury
  • Jimson Weed
    • Ingestion of seeds, unripened seed pods and flowers
    • Toxicity results from tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine).
  • Tree Tobacco
    • Ingestion of any part of the evergreen plant
    • Toxicity results from toxic alkaloids nicotine and anabasine.
      HIGHLY TOXIC - MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN.

 

Planning / Packing Guide
  • Plant identification guide

 

Symptoms
  • Tree Tobacco
    • vomiting
    • diarrhea
    • slow pulse
    • dizziness
    • collapse
    • respiratory failure

 

First Aid
  • Contact Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
  • Due to hallucinogenic effects, protect the victim from causing harm to himself and others.
  • Protect the airway.
  • Provide CPR if condition warrants it.
  • Seek medical attention.

 

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