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Jimsonweed

Another Texas Wildflower photograph from my recent trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This is a Jimsonweed (aka Sacred Thorn Apple, Thorn apple, Angel Trumpet, Sacred Datura), a member of the Nightshade (Solanaceae) family. This plant produces very large, white, fragrant, trumpet-like flowers. They open up in the evening and last through the night and early morning. The plant is very rank and is usually full of Stink Bugs. One thing to note is that all parts of this plant are highly toxic to both humans and animals. In fact, many members of the Nightshade family have varying levels of toxicity. Some humans and animals have very serious reactions to them. Members of the Nightshade family include potatoes, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes and tomatillos.

Extracts from this plant and its relatives are narcotic and, when improperly prepared, are lethal. The narcotic properties of Jimsonweed have been known since before recorded history. They once figured important in religious ceremonies of southwestern Indians. The Aztecs used Jimsonweed for healing purposes. So, if you see this flower, don’t eat it. You may regret it.

Jimsonweed
Jimsonweed

This image was taken with my Sony A7R II Digital Camera using my Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens. The camera was set on Manual mode with the aperture set at f/8, shutter speed at 1/250th of a second and the ISO set at 400. I used only natural light to light the subject. I used the Kirk FR-2 Focusing Rail to capture 11 photographs and brought them together into one image using Photoshop u sing the Focus Stacking technique. I finished the image in Lightroom and Nik Color Efex Pro.

This image is best viewed large. Click on the image to enlarge it. You can access the profile for this plant by clicking here. Please use the section below to post your comments, questions or suggestions.

T. Kahler Photography
© 2016 T. Kahler Photography

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