Mendel’s Gardens

Datura stramonium

Jimsonweed · Common Thorn-apple · Jamestown Weed

Family SolanaceaeGenus Datura

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Safety

Toxicity
High severity. All parts. Tropane alkaloids scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine.

The plant

Habit
Annual, Forb/herb, Subshrub
Note
Introduced across the US and Canada; not native to North America.

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

This source reports 6 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 16, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 6 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

100% germination.

Six months of dry storage at 70 raises it from 27% to 100%.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaturaPublic domain
Show the original text
Datura (Solanaceae). D. stramonium germ. 100% in 70L if the seed had been DS 6m at 70 whereas fresh seed germ. only 70L(27% in 8-10 d). There is some germination in the dark as shown by 70D(25% in 3-7 d) for seed DS 6 m at 70 and 70D(15% in 5-8 d) for seed collected in November. Germination failed in outdoor treatment. Germination was only 5% over two cycles when sown at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Datura. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 26, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 10 days to germinate.

27% germination in 8–10 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaturaPublic domain
Show the original text
Datura (Solanaceae). D. stramonium germ. 100% in 70L if the seed had been DS 6m at 70 whereas fresh seed germ. only 70L(27% in 8-10 d). There is some germination in the dark as shown by 70D(25% in 3-7 d) for seed DS 6 m at 70 and 70D(15% in 5-8 d) for seed collected in November. Germination failed in outdoor treatment. Germination was only 5% over two cycles when sown at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Datura. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 30, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 7 days to germinate.

25% germination in 3–7 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaturaPublic domain
Show the original text
Datura (Solanaceae). D. stramonium germ. 100% in 70L if the seed had been DS 6m at 70 whereas fresh seed germ. only 70L(27% in 8-10 d). There is some germination in the dark as shown by 70D(25% in 3-7 d) for seed DS 6 m at 70 and 70D(15% in 5-8 d) for seed collected in November. Germination failed in outdoor treatment. Germination was only 5% over two cycles when sown at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Datura. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 28, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 8 days to germinate.

15% germination in 5–8 days.

Seed collected in November.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaturaPublic domain
Show the original text
Datura (Solanaceae). D. stramonium germ. 100% in 70L if the seed had been DS 6m at 70 whereas fresh seed germ. only 70L(27% in 8-10 d). There is some germination in the dark as shown by 70D(25% in 3-7 d) for seed DS 6 m at 70 and 70D(15% in 5-8 d) for seed collected in November. Germination failed in outdoor treatment. Germination was only 5% over two cycles when sown at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Datura. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    Only 5% over two cycles.

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

5% germination.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaturaPublic domain
Show the original text
Datura (Solanaceae). D. stramonium germ. 100% in 70L if the seed had been DS 6m at 70 whereas fresh seed germ. only 70L(27% in 8-10 d). There is some germination in the dark as shown by 70D(25% in 3-7 d) for seed DS 6 m at 70 and 70D(15% in 5-8 d) for seed collected in November. Germination failed in outdoor treatment. Germination was only 5% over two cycles when sown at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Datura. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Germination failed.

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaturaPublic domain
Show the original text
Datura (Solanaceae). D. stramonium germ. 100% in 70L if the seed had been DS 6m at 70 whereas fresh seed germ. only 70L(27% in 8-10 d). There is some germination in the dark as shown by 70D(25% in 3-7 d) for seed DS 6 m at 70 and 70D(15% in 5-8 d) for seed collected in November. Germination failed in outdoor treatment. Germination was only 5% over two cycles when sown at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Datura. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.