DATURA STRAMONIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Datura stramonium, commonly known as Jimsonweed or Devil's snare, is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is an annual plant native to the Americas but has become naturalized in various regions around the world.
Datura stramonium is characterized by its tall, erect stem that can reach heights between 1 and 1.5 meters. It features large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are typically white, although occasional variations in color may occur. The plant produces distinctive, spiky seed pods that contain numerous small black seeds.
Despite its attractive appearance, Datura stramonium should be approached with caution due to its high toxicity. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots, contain powerful chemical compounds known as tropane alkaloids. These alkaloids, such as scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine, have potent anticholinergic properties that affect the central nervous system.
In traditional and folk medicine, Datura stramonium has been used for various purposes, including treating asthma, relieving pain, inducing hallucinations, and as an herbal sedative. However, due to its high toxicity and potential for severe side effects, the plant is not recommended for self-administration and is considered poisonous. Ingesting or even inhaling the plant's parts can lead to symptoms such as dilated pupils, dry mouth, blurred vision, confusion, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, and potentially fatal complications in severe cases. It is advised to seek immediate medical attention in case of accidental ingestion or exposure to Datura stramonium.
Common Misspellings for DATURA STRAMONIUM
- satura stramonium
- xatura stramonium
- catura stramonium
- fatura stramonium
- ratura stramonium
- eatura stramonium
- dztura stramonium
- dstura stramonium
- dwtura stramonium
- dqtura stramonium
- darura stramonium
- dafura stramonium
- dagura stramonium
- dayura stramonium
- da6ura stramonium
- da5ura stramonium
- datyra stramonium
- dathra stramonium
- datjra stramonium
Etymology of DATURA STRAMONIUM
The word "Datura Stramonium" has a complex etymology.
The word "Datura" comes from the Sanskrit word "dhatura" which means "thorny fruit". This word was later adopted into Greek as "thornapple" and then into Latin as "Datura".
On the other hand, "Stramonium" is derived from the Greek word "stramonion", which refers to the plant's toxic and hallucinogenic nature. This word is believed to have been derived from either the Greek word "stramone" meaning "extreme" or "stramonia" meaning "mad".
Overall, "Datura Stramonium" combines the Latin name "Datura" with the Greek descriptive term "Stramonium" to classify this particular species of plant.
