Saturday, April 8, 2017

Another Plant That Wants To Kill You...!



We talked a bit about some of the nasty tricks that Mother Nature sometimes pulls on us, but one of the most deadly is in plants like this one.

Sometimes Jimson Weed is used to get high, but that is almost guaranteed to cause the person trying it some serious health problems.

Jimson Weed

Datura_stramonium_flower

Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) is known by the common name devil’s snare. Many may remember this name as Harry, Hermione, and Ron came face to face with it when searching for the sorcerer’s stone. However, the real devil’s snare is more diabolical than that found at Hogwarts. True devil’s snare is a tall, flowering plant that produces funnel-shaped flowers and prickly seed pods. Native to Asia, the toxic plant has made its way to the West Indies, Canada, and the United States. 

Although the devil’s snare seems plain and unassuming, this plant is packed with a powerful punch. The devil’s snare contains a mixture of tropane alkaloids which can affect nearly every aspect of the human body but are particularly debilitating to the brain. Commonly used as a psychedelic drug, devil’s snare can cause dilated pupils, blurred vision, frightening hallucinations, confusion, euphoria, delirium, combative behaviors, as well as tachycardia, and dry mouth. 

Devil’s snare typically enters the body directly; a person will suck the juices from the plant stem or flowers, or simply ingest one of the seeds from the prickly pod. And while death is not always certain, devil’s snare will take you on a trip that is not going to be pleasurable.

I often wonder why it is that people continue to try and get high on plants that might get them high, and kill them in the process. Stupid is as stupid does, I reckon!

Coffee again is out on the patio. The temps will be in the mid 70s, so it should be pleasant!

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I wonder if this is the same plant that is used in Alaska for making medicinal salves etc. They hate what the plant does when they run into it but do like the healing effects when prepared correctly. Coffee on the patio and mid 70s sounds good. I had to bring my plants in last night because of frost but it is a nice partly cloudy day and I think we are supposed to top out near 60s. Love you.

Momlady said...

Never understood why people would do stuff like that. Like you said...stupid is...

HermitJim said...

Hey Sis...
I have no idea if it's the same plant or not, but it wouldn't surprise me. Sorry to hear it's still chilly up there.
Thanks for stopping by today, B.!


Hey Momlady...
Maybe their brain is already gone because of one plant or another. Makes my smoking tobacco seem rather minor ya know?
Thanks for the visit today!

JO said...

Like they say can't fix stupid. The flower is do pretty.

Sounds nice on the patio and I will be there shortly. We are hitting the 90's already not happy at all

Gorges Smythe said...

I'm trying to remember if I haven't read that this is the same plant the westerners call "loco weed."

Dizzy-Dick said...

That looks familiar. I will have to keep my eyes open, but I believe I have seen that growing on my place. Don't want the dogs chewing on its leaves.

HermitJim said...

Hey Jo...
Pretty flowers for sure, but the plant is something to be avoided. Don't go chewing on one...OK?
Thanks, girl, for dropping in today!


Hey Gorges...
I'm not sure about that, but you may be right!
Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Dizzy...
Yeah, you don't want the pups to get any of that stuff in them, that's for sure!
Thanks for stopping by today, buddy!