Identification
This large plant, introduced long ago from tropical America, has very large, funnel-shaped, white flowers (5×2 inches) with five points (A). The flowers open during the night and are visited by moths. Its large leaves are irregular, but generally lobed with large teeth. The seed pods are armed with prickles – the seeds are black (B,C).
This weedy species is found in disturbed waste places. This specimen – the only one seen so far in our two nature centers – was photographed in early September 2012 along Hidden Lake Trail in the planted prairie, which had been flooded in 2011.
Other common names are Thorn-apple, Devil’s Snare and Devil’s Trumpet.
All portions of this plant are poisonous.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.