Common thornapple (Datura stramonium)

Common thornapple is a short lived plant that grows on disturbed sites. The entire plant is poisonous.

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Thornapple will invade waste ground, disturbed agriculutral land, creek banks and semi-arid pasture.

Toxicity

Thornapple is highly toxic to humans, capable of causing serious illness or death. All parts of the plant, particularly the flowers, seeds and nectar are poisonous, causing thirst, increased temperatures, rapid pulse, incoherence and convulsions. 

The entire plant is also poisonous to livestock and pets. 

What to do if poisoning occurs:

• If the patient is unconscious, unresponsive or having difficulty breathing dial 000 or get to the emergency section of a hospital immediately.
• If the patient is conscious and responsive call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or your doctor.
• If going to a hospital take a piece of the plant for identification.

What does it look like?

Common thornapple is a short-lives plant that grows in disturbed sites. Flowers are white-lilac 6-8 cm long. Seed capsules are large and oval shaped with numerous spines varying in lengths. 

The entire plant is poisonous to humans, pets and livestock.

References

Richardson F.J.,Richardson R.G. and Shepherd R.C.H (2006).Weeds of the south-east an identification guide for Australia. (R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne).

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Control

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

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2,4-D amine 625 g/L (Amicide® 625)
Rate: 1.6 to 2.4 L per ha
Comments: Pasture
Withholding period: 7 days.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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2,4-D amine 700 g/L (Amicide Advance 700)
Rate: 285 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Pastures, rights of way and Industrial areas
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Bromacil 800 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 3.5 or 6.5 kg per ha
Comments: Industrial areas and rights of way: lower rate for lighter soil
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: C, Inhibitors of photosynthesis at photosystem II (PS II inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Glyphosate 450 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1.6 to 2.4 L per ha
Comments: Boom spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Glyphosate 450 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 400 to 560 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Glyphosate 450 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 60 to 80 mL per 15 L of water
Comments: Knapsack spraying
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Imazapyr 250 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 4 L per ha
Comments: Industrial areas
Withholding period:
Herbicide group: B, Inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.

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Reviewed 2018