Datura stramonium spotted growing on the UWS this weekend 

If you’ve heard of the Datura stramonium plant (it has many names, including the commonly used “jimson weed“), you’ve likely heard about its hallucinogenic effects, or, perhaps, how it may be used to manufacture the undead. In Wade Davis’s book The Serpent and the Rainbow, he notes that in Haiti the plant is called “zombie cucumber” and is used “as a central ingredient of the concoction voodoo priests use to create zombies.” It’s also a popular hexing herb amongst those practicing witchcraft; was allegedly used by Josef Mengele, the Nazi physician known as the Angel of Death, during interrogations; and it has been at the center of many crimes, given its ability to ”turn victims into ‘zombies’ devoid of free will,” making them easier to manipulate or rob.

You will not find many good things written about this plant; what you will find is an endless stream of nightmarish tales and insane mythology, dating back centuries.

The plant is pretty common, and has been right there wreaking havoc in the background throughout history — according to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, it pops up in Homer’s Odyssey, as well as some of Shakespeare’s plays, and it reportedly got some early Virginia settlers pretty high in the 1600s, for at least 11 days straight.

While across the river awaiting reinforcements, the British troops lead by Governor Berkeley had one of the first documented ‘trips’ in American history with datura stramonium aka Jamestown Weed… “[the plant] was gathered for a boiled Salad, by some of the soldiers sent thither, to pacify the Troubles of [Nathaniel] Bacon; and some of them eat plentifully of it, the Effect of which was a very pleasant Comedy; for they turned natural Fools upon it for several Days. In this frantic condition they were confined, lest they should, in their folly, destroy themselves – though it was observed that all their actions were full of innocence and good nature. Indeed they were not very cleanly; for they would have wallowed in their own excrements, if they had not been prevented. A thousand such simple tricks they played, and after 11 days returned themselves again, not remembering anything that had passed.”

It’s been referred to as “the scariest” drug by outlets like Vice, and if you don’t believe everything you see about it on the internet, maybe you’ll believe Timothy Leary, famous evangelist for psychedelics, who once declared: “I never heard of a good trip on datura.”

And if you still need more proof of its evil, look no further than the Manson family, who also ingested the plant: “It was the inadvertent key ingredient to the dissolution of reality into fantasy… in particular with key members of the family.” (Sometimes they incorrectly called it “belladonna,” which is a related plant, but their descriptions more accurately fit datura, and it is believed that both Manson and Tex Watson partook, along with others).

And now it’s growing on Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side, as noted by Adrian Benepe, former NYC Parks Commissioner, on Saturday:

(((Adrian Benepe)))@Adrian_Benepe

What a long, strange trip: Bumper crop of Datura stramonium, aka Jimsonweed, growing in planting bed on Columbus Ave. Greenway at 93rd St. in NYC. A well-known hallucinogenic plant, it is also fatally toxic when consumed in even tiny amounts. ⁦@NYC_DOT⁩ ⁦@nycHealthy⁩

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2:22 PM – Sep 7, 2019

 

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The plant was still there on Sunday. On Monday morning the Department of Transportation told us, “We are looking into this.” We will update when we hear more.

Marc Hachadourian, Director of Glasshouse Horticulture & Senior Curator of Orchids at the New York Botanical Garden, confirmed with Gothamist that “all parts of the plant are toxic and should not be ingested even in small amounts,” confirming it “is dangerous and poisonous if ingested by people or pets,” though its effects and “the degree of toxicity can vary.”

A close-up of the plant and its flowers. 

“Seeds are known to be problematic for their ease of being swallowed,” Hachadourian said, though noted that “all parts of the plant can be dangerous if ingested.” The plant will not do anything if you simply brush against it, you will not get a rash, as you would poison ivy. “For anyone who encounters the plant, I would stress not to be alarmist or ‘freak out’ about its appearance,” he said. “If you see it, just weed it out and throw it in the trash.” (It is very likely growing in many places around the city, as it’s pretty common, and you do not need to be alarmed unless you or your dog eat or smoke it, which… don’t do that.)

Indeed, the greater danger is for those who want to get high off the plant. For years there have been reports of people chasing highs off the weed, and Redditors have warned of everything from a bad trip to death:  “two of my friends died from an overdose of Datura/Jimson Weed, don’t take this dangerous drug. The trip is horrible too, almost like a nightmare.”

Hachadourian confirmed this, noting that “most cases of poisoning with this plant occur when persons make the unintelligent decision to experiment with its narcotic properties hoping to get high and poison themselves instead.” The effects from the plant vary, and it can cause “nausea, hallucinations, extreme thirst, salivation, and even death if enough is ingested,” he said. “Like many other members of the Tomato family (Solanaceae) it contains bitter and potentially toxic alkaloids. Remember, the foliage of a potato plant is toxic if eaten!”

Those walking by the plant on Sunday were not very alarmed, though Stephanie Maria, 26, pointed out: “There’s no sign to warn you of [it being toxic]… it’s at the reach of a child.”

Update: A DOT spokesperson told Gothamist at 4 p.m. on Monday, “The City removed the plant today. DOT did not plant here and does not handle plantings at these pedestrian refuge islands. We are checking records for any local entity that has offered to maintain the area in the past.”

Additionally, Crystal Howard (Assistant Commissioner of Communications for NYC Parks), told us that Datura stramonium has been found previously in the city’s parks, as well. “Our Parks gardeners infrequently find jimsonweed in our City parks, but when they do, they remove and dispose of them immediately.”