3. Datura stramonium L. (incl. D. inermis Juss. ex Jacq., D. tatula L.) (N-Am.) – A common but usually ephemeral alien (probably sometimes persisting for several years but not really becoming naturalised). There is archaeological evidence that Datura stramonium was already present in western Europe in the Middle Ages (Van Landuyt 2006). In Belgium it has been introduced with wool, cereals, ore and doubtlessly through other vectors as well. Datura stramonium usually occurs in man-made habitats (dumps, soil heaps, worked-up roadverges, port areas, poultry farms, waste land, manured fields,…).
Datura stramonium is a very variable species. Numerous infraspecific taxa have been described but their taxonomic value is questionable. Variable features are presence or absence of spines on the capsules, colour of flowers, etc… (see Geerinck & Walravens 1998 and Lambinon & Geerinck 1999 for an overview).
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Selected literature:
Geerinck D. & Walravens E. (1998) Intraspecific variations of Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae). Les Naturalistes Belges 79: 270-272.
Lambinon J. & Geerinck D. (1999) Complement to infraspecific variations of Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) in Belgium. Les Naturalistes Belges 80: 433-435.
Van Landuyt W. (2006) Datura stramonium. In: Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van den Bremt P., Vercruysse W. & De Beer D., Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, Nationale Plantentuin van België en Flo.Wer: 333-334.