Species › Plants › Sacred Datura

Sacred Datura

Datura wrightii

CommonPlant
Illustration of Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii)
Safety note: All parts are toxic and can be fatal; contains powerful hallucinogens and anticholinergics. Do not ingest or touch eyes after handling.

Sacred Datura is a dramatic desert wildflower with large white trumpet-shaped blossoms that open at night and perfume the desert air. Its flowers are exclusively pollinated by the white-lined sphinx moth, whose long tongue reaches deep into the corolla. The plant has deep cultural significance for many southwestern indigenous peoples, though all parts are extremely toxic.

Habitat
Desert washes, roadsides, and disturbed soils of the Southwest
Diet
Flowers exclusively pollinated by white-lined sphinx moth at night
How common
Common

Best time to see a Sacred Datura

The best time to see a Sacred Datura is April–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 42,857 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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