Datura sp.
A Thornapple at Parkes, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Datura sp. | MichaelMulvaney | 8 Mar 2026 | |
| Datura sp. | Untidy | 6 Mar 2026 |
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User's notes
Am seeing this weed everywhere at the moment. This patch stretched between the roundabout on Anzac Parade and back toward Civic for hundreds of metres. Seems to be coming in on imported soil.
1 comment
6 Mar 2026
About three years ago several people were poisoned by eating spinach contaminated with datura (common thornapple). The weed is commonly brought to Canberra by contaminated landscaping soil. I don't know if there are any biosecurity rules to stop this. I have seen it growing alongside vegetables so it would be possible for it to end up in a salad. Symptoms of poisoning include: thirst, dilated pupils, high temperatures, weak or rapid pulse, incoherence or hallucinations, vomiting, breathing problems, convulsions. Wash your hands if you are pulling it out.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.138336-35.289672
- Altitude 567.3m
- Places Parkes, ACT
Sighting information
- 101 - 1,000 Abundance
- 5 Mar 2026 11:33 AM Recorded on
- Untidy Recorded by
- 30cm to 1 metre Plant height
- 25mm to 50mm Flower size
- Yes In flower
Collections
Species information
- Datura sp. Scientific name
- A Thornapple Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Exotic
- Minor weed or pest
- 480m to 739.04m Recorded at altitude
Seasonal activity
-
In flower
JFMAMJJASOND
Record quality
Quality score
6 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species