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What on earth is it?

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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.

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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

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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 :shock: .

 

Nicola

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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!

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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. :lol:

 

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.

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