Datura innoxia (Downy Thorn Apple)

Scientific Name

Datura innoxia Mill.

Common Names

Downy Thorn Apple, Indian Apple, Recurved Thorn Apple, Angel’s Trumpet, Sacred Datura, Tolguacha, Pricklyburr

Synonyms

Datura innoxia subsp. innoxia, Datura innoxia var. innoxia, Datura guayaquilensis, Datura meteloides

Scientific Classification

Family: Solanaceae
Subfamily: Solanoideae
Tribe: Datureae
Genus: Datura

Flower

Color: White
Bloom Time: Early summer to late fall

Description

Datura innoxia is an annual, shrubby plant up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall Its stems and leaves are covered with short and soft, grayish hairs, giving the whole plant a grayish appearance. It has elliptic smooth-edged leaves with pinnate venation. The flowers are white, trumpet-shaped and up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, followed by spiny fruits up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. It flowers from early summer until late fall.

Hardiness

It is grown as an annual plant, so it has no USDA hardiness zone.

How to Grow and Care

You can grow Daturas inside or outside in a pot, or simply spread seed with a light coat of sand outside in a sunny location. They are usually planted annually from the seed, but with care, plants can be overwintered. Most species are suited to being planted outside or in containers.

Daturas does best in full or close to full sun. The more light, the better in general.

Datura is a truly tropical species that does not take kindly to colder temperatures. Cold drafts are likely to result in leaf drop, and frost will kill it.

In containers, they should have porous, aerated potting soil with adequate drainage.

Regular watering during the growing season to keep the soil moist at all times, but not soaking. During the winter, reduce watering somewhat, but never let the soil completely dry out.

Feed weekly with a weak liquid fertilizer that encourages blooming… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Daturas

Origin

It is native to Southwestern United States, Central and South America.

Links

• Back to genus Tillandsia
• Plantopedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone or Origin

Photo Gallery