Plant ID has spikey pods

Hi, This popped up in my newer planters I made this spring. It's about a foot high, and has these green spikey pods. One opened the other day. It has a white flower for about a day, then sprouts another stem.

Any help is appreciated. (I live in the Silicon Valley, CA).

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Reply to
fabfan
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> LT "Thorn apple" - Datura stramonium
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Reply to
JennyC

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I agree with JennyC. Another common name is Jimsonweed.

Reply to
Backburner

Thanks!!

Now, do I want to keep it??

Backburner wrote:

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Reply to
fabfan

I also live in Silicon Valley. Just south of Eastridge Mall in San Jose, there's a large, undeveloped field. There are Datura plants scattered across the whole field.

There are four species of Datura which are found growing wild in California. Two are natives. Datura has pretty flowers, and low water requirements. Some people find the spiky seed pods threatening, and some people do not like the way it smells.

With the exception of one species, D. wrightii, all of the Datura species found in California are annuals. Even D. wrightii is only occasionally a perennial. So, to answer your question, "Do I want to keep it," I will reply that you won't be keeping it for long, even if you do like it. You could collect seeds and sow a new crop next spring (or even in winter, as this is California).

Under no circumstances should you ingest any part of this plant! Datura species produce atropine and scopolamine, two strong neurotoxins.

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Reply to
John Ladasky

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