Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Invitation to Disaster

The Sacred Datura, through its night-blooming flowers, evokes a feeling of mystery, and it has long been used as a portal to the spirit world, visions, hallucinations and witchcraft— dangerously so. With all its all of its tissues containing chemical compounds known as “alkaloids,” the plant is extremely poisonous, with the concentration of toxic levels varying from plant to plant. Having served as a food source for the Hawk Moth, it even invests that insect with poisons to discourage would-be predators.

Despite the grave risks, Sacred Datura has been used since ancient times by spiritualists, holy men, medicine men, witches and even modern recreational drug users. It may, said one source, spawn “deep inner visionary states,” but it may also leave a person “feeling like an alien” or “feeling as if your being is dissolving.” It may cause a “fear of losing control or of insanity.” It makes you dream, even when awake. It makes you imagine that you’re seeing three dimensional objects that, in reality, don’t exist.

This had already started to wilt. They bloom at night & wilt with sunlight.

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RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

Interesting, thanks!

bodacious Loc: Oregon

This does not sound like a good substitute for a garnish in a wild salad. Thanks for posting.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good shot of a very interesting plant.

Redrock51 Loc: Utah

Nice pict. Interesting info. We have some in our front yard. I think we'll continue to look at, but not "taste" them.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I thought it was interesting. Not putting it on my salad...

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Good idea!

Robin19966

sounds like the sixties

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Very enticing I would say. Watch out!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

:thumbup:

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Thanks for commenting!