Chooks Aloud Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I have a rogue plant growing in between my aubergine plants and was just wondering if I describe it, if anyone could throw any light on what it is. I have searched the web with no luck. The plant is approx 3' high with a thick stem. The leaves are darkish green and large spanning approx 6". It has white tubular flowers approx 3-4" long (they do not open, well not that I've seen) and then there are large green seed pods which are covered in spines. Here's hoping that someone can help as I'm no good at putting photos on. Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Triffid??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Hmmm, can't guess on the description... do you want to PM me with a link to the photo and I'll post it for you? You need to save it in Photobucket or similar first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Triffid??? That was my first thought, before seeing your post . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I have a rogue plant growing in between my aubergine plants and was just wondering if I describe it, if anyone could throw any light on what it is. I have searched the web with no luck. The plant is approx 3' high with a thick stem. The leaves are darkish green and large spanning approx 6". It has white tubular flowers approx 3-4" long (they do not open, well not that I've seen) and then there are large green seed pods which are covered in spines. Here's hoping that someone can help as I'm no good at putting photos on. Thanks everyone. Cucumber?????????????? Mine were spine covered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I remember something on the news last month, and a google found this - I don't know how to do a linky thing so I've just pasted the news article here (sorry it's a bit long) - could this be it ?? Mystery tropical plant found in garden Margaret Rogers with the Devil's Snare 24 August 2009 When a mystery plant appeared in Margaret Rogers' garden she decided to try to work out what it was. But the pensioner was stunned when it turned out to be a deadly tropical plant. Now she is warning other gardeners to be on guard after finding the datura stramonium – also known as Devil's Snare. It belongs to the deadly nightshade family and is most commonly found in South America. The species is famed for featuring in JK Rowling's Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone. Its poison can cause hallucinations, blurred vision, coma and even death. But Mrs Rogers, from Heatherton Mews, Emsworth, had no idea of the dangers until she alerted the Royal Horticultural Society to her discovery. She said: 'It just appeared from nowhere. We noticed it about three or four weeks ago when it was about six inches tall and we've been trying to get it identified. 'Now it's about two-and-a-half to three-feet high and growing madly. 'It's green and has got yellowish flowers that look like trumpets but never open. 'The other thing about it is it's got green pods that have spines all over them. 'In view of its nature we're going to dig it up but I don't know what we'll do with it. 'I can't believe you can find something like that here. 'I think it must have been spread by birds dropping seeds. It certainly wasn't there last season. We're quite keen gardeners and we should have noticed it. Other people should look out for it.' According to the Royal Horticultural Society the seed can live dormant underground for years and germinates when the soil is disturbed. A spokesman said: 'Although quite a striking plant, it is as well to be aware that all parts – particularly the seeds –- are highly poisonous. 'It belongs to the Sola-naceae, a family which includes the potato and tobacco, and many members of this family contain toxic substances.' The plant was recently spotted by 78-year-old pensioner Phyllis Abbott in her garden at Newmarket, Suffolk. PLANT FACTS Datura Stramonium grows to an average three feet high, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. Its leaves are broad and co"Ooops, word censored!" and the species flowers, with usually white flowers, from July to October. Its seed pods are large and spiny and highly poisonous. Gardeners should wear gloves and wash their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with the plant Sounds like a good match to me . Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Lots of pictures of Datura here , sorry haven't got time to save one and post it here. The article made me laugh though, a good friend has just given me a Datura plant which I'm carefully nurturing in my greenhouse as I'm hoping for a lovely display of flowers next year! One man's tenderly-nurtured plant is another man's poison ... I can't help feeling the risks are a bit over-exaggerated in that article. Most gardens are full of things which could do you damage if you ate them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Here's a fairly clear example. I'd not read about it before, so I must admit I was quite surprised.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 You can buy these in the garden centre. They make quite striking conservatory plants though as mentioned above don't eat them. South American Shamans use it to make themselves "fly" I'd pot it up and bring it inside and the flowers should open. I wouldn't worry about it being poisonous. Lots of house plants are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I used to have a couple of Datura trees indoors; really amazing with the most gorgeous scent. I got rid of them though when Rosie was a toddler and inclined to out stuff in her mouth. If you haven't got any small children around, bring it indoors as OSH has said and enjoy the beautiful flowers and scent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Thanks everyone - it definitely looks like that. OMG a hallucinogenic plant. How do you look after these? Will it be okay outside with the chooks? At the moment it is sectioned off in my veg plot, but I do not want anything poisonous in with my veg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 OMG a hallucinogenic plant......Will it be okay outside with the chooks? Let's all just stop for a moment to paint for ourselves that mental picture; chickens on a bad trip reacting to things that aren't really there..... I don't know about yours, but my birds are happily neurotic without any recreational pharmaceuticals. Dropping a few alkaloids into their diet would be a right royal rave. In all seriousness, though, I suspect it'd be sensible not to let them have access to the plant. Even if the hens are fine with that diet (not a safe assumption, I reckon), you might have a very eventful day after your first omelette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
