Sacred Datura

Sacred Datura is a large, trumpet-shaped flowering plant native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Known for its striking white to pale lavender blooms and powerful hallucinogenic properties, it is often associated with spiritual and ceremonial use by Indigenous cultures—hence the name “sacred.”

Key Characteristics:

• Flowers:
  Huge, funnel-shaped blooms that can reach 6–8 inches long. They are white with a tinge of purple or lavender, especially around the edges. The flowers open in the evening and close by midday, often emitting a sweet fragrance.

• Leaves:
  Large, ovate, and dark green with a velvety texture and a strong, unpleasant odor when crushed.

• Growth Habit:
  A low, spreading perennial that can grow 2–5 feet tall and 6 feet wide in favorable conditions.

• Bloom Time:
  Spring through fall, especially after rains.

• Habitat:
  Found in deserts, arid grasslands, and roadsides across the Southwest U.S., including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

• Toxicity:
  Highly toxic to humans and animals; contains potent alkaloids such as scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause hallucinations, delirium, and even death.

• Cultural Significance:
  Used traditionally by some Native American tribes in vision quests and religious rituals, but only under careful, controlled conditions due to its toxicity.