Whilst birding the bottom of the Raydah
Escarpment and very steep reserve with plenty of plant life from top to bottom,
I came across a Datura. I was not able to identify the plant so asked
Irene Linning who is a plant expert and who previously lived in Saudi Arabia if
she could identify it for me. Irene said it was Datura innoxia, that
grows high up in rocky areas and has hanging spiny fruits. Datura innoxia,
is sometimes called by its common name Downy Thorn-apple. It is native to
Central and South America, and introduced in Africa, Asia, Australia and
Europe. It is an annual shrubby plant that typically reaches a height of 0.6 to
1.5 metres. Its stems and leaves are covered with short and soft grayish hairs,
giving the whole plant a grayish appearance. It has elliptic entire-edged
leaves with pinnate venation. All parts of the plant emit a foul odor when
crushed or bruised. The flowers are white, trumpet-shaped and 12–19 cm long.
They first grow upright, and later incline downward. It flowers from early
summer until late fall. All parts of Datura plants contain dangerous levels of
poison and may be fatal if ingested by humans and other animals, including
livestock and pets. In some places it is prohibited to buy, sell or cultivate
Datura plants.
