datura
LowTechnical / Botanical / Literary
Definition
Meaning
A genus of poisonous flowering plants in the nightshade family, known for their large, trumpet-shaped flowers and hallucinogenic properties.
Any plant of the genus Datura, often used ornamentally but also historically and illicitly for its psychoactive and toxic alkaloids like scopolamine and atropine.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is primarily botanical and toxicological. In non-specialist contexts, it often carries connotations of danger, poison, mysticism, or altered states of consciousness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The plant is known in both regions, though more common in warmer climates.
Connotations
Similar connotations of toxicity and hallucinogenic danger in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, appearing in specialized or literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [adjective] datura [verb]...Datura, a [noun], is known for...Ingestion of datura causes...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is not used idiomatically.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botany, pharmacology, toxicology, and ethnobotany papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might be mentioned in gardening contexts or warnings about poisonous plants.
Technical
Standard term in botanical classification, toxicology reports, and studies on psychoactive substances.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The datura-infused concoction was feared.
- A datura-like alkaloid was isolated.
American English
- The datura-laced tea caused delirium.
- He studied datura-related poisoning cases.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This white flower is called datura. It is very poisonous.
- Do not touch the datura plant.
- The datura in their garden has large, beautiful flowers.
- Some people get very sick from datura.
- Despite its attractive appearance, datura contains potent tropane alkaloids.
- The historical use of datura in rituals is well-documented but extremely dangerous.
- Pharmacologists have isolated scopolamine from Datura stramonium for use in antiemetic medications.
- The ethnobotanical significance of datura spans continents, featuring in shamanic practices and tragic cases of accidental poisoning.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Data' you shouldn't ingest. 'Datura' is dangerous data for your body.
Conceptual Metaphor
Datura is DANGER / Datura is DECEPTION (beautiful but deadly).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'дурман' (durman), which is the correct translation for the plant. Avoid literal translations or associations with other words.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /ˈdætʃərə/ or /dæˈtʊrə/.
- Confusing it with non-poisonous, trumpet-shaped flowers like petunias or bindweed.
- Using it as a common noun for any large flower.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'datura' most frequently and precisely used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Angel's trumpet' commonly refers to the genus Brugmansia, which was once included in Datura. Both are toxic and belong to the nightshade family.
Touching the plant is generally not dangerous, but all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Handling it can cause skin irritation for some people.
The name comes from 'Jamestown weed', referring to an incident in Jamestown, Virginia, in the 17th century where British soldiers accidentally ingested it and suffered delirium.
The plant itself is not typically illegal to grow as an ornamental, but its cultivation or preparation for human consumption as a psychoactive drug is illegal in many countries due to its high toxicity and potential for harm.