Sacred Datura spotted thriving on a Claremont street
iNaturalist: zoealamillo
Native Plants
If you've ever noticed huge white trumpet flowers opening at dusk along a sidewalk or vacant lot in the Southwest, you've likely seen this plant, and every confirmed sighting like this one helps map where it's spreading or holding steady.
Someone spotted a Sacred Datura plant growing on N College Ave in Claremont, California, and other naturalists confirmed the identification, making it an official 'research-grade' record. This plant has huge, white, trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the evening and close by midday, and it's known for being both beautiful and highly toxic if eaten. Records like this help scientists and land managers know exactly where the species is growing right now.
Key Findings
Observation verified as research-grade, meaning the species ID was confirmed by multiple community identifiers
Location pinpointed to N College Ave in Claremont, California, documenting a specific urban/suburban occurrence
Datura wrightii confirmed present outside of wildland habitat, in a developed street-side setting
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade iNaturalist sighting confirms Sacred Datura, a striking native nightshade with large white trumpet flowers, growing along a street in Claremont, California. The record adds a verified data point to the species' known range and helps scientists track where this toxic but ecologically important plant is thriving.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii) observed in N College Ave, Claremont, CA, US
Research-grade observation of Sacred Datura in N College Ave, Claremont, CA, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Datura wrightii, commonly known as sacred datura, is a poisonous perennial plant species and ornamental flower of the family Solanaceae native to the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is sometimes used as a hallucinogen due to its psychoactive alkaloids. D. wrightii is classi...