Q: I am very concerned about what I suspect is a very poisonous plant that is growing at an alarming rate in our garden. My daughter, mother and I began to enjoy the fruits of our labor by growing various vegetables. Most of our garden is started from seedlings, but for a few items we have tried seeds from the dollar store. One of our favorite seed packs is Eggplant.
As the plant grew, we wondered how amazing it was, and then it turned into a spiky ball-shaped thing that didn't look like an egg. A few more sprouted, and yesterday I noticed one split and had black seeds. The trunk is purple and very thick, almost like a tree. The leaves are big. I thought those seeds were for something like dragon fruit, not eggplant.
I looked at the original packaging and it says "Eggplant". I started pulling "Strange Eggplant" and reading comments in threads etc. I saw a comment about a poisonous plant on the landscape and I should be very careful. After further research I found a photo of a plant called "Datura stramonium". I'm afraid that's what's growing in our garden.
Several Datura plants grow next to our large pumpkins, tomatoes and cucumbers and in close proximity to each other. In the year I read about 200 people getting sick from spinach cross contamination in 2022. It is a plant of the nightshade family, which is poisonous. I took some photos for you to see. My husband had a heart attack a few weeks ago and I don't want him in this factory. The literature suggests immediate removal with gloves, but is it possible to contaminate other plants by growing and watering roots, seeds and soil?
Can you confirm this is a problem from these images? Is there anyone I should contact to get rid of it? Should I contact the city? I find the dollar store. They want people to know that seeds labeled as eggplant are dangerous plants, but how can they inform our community? I am very angry about this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
- Lisa
Calm down first. Yes, some nightshade plants are poisonous, but eggplant and tomatoes are in the same family and are perfectly safe.
Datura is often a concern when people learn that it has hallucinogenic properties and try to eat or smoke the plant. Although I understand your concern, you can easily throw the plant in a garbage bag. Wear gloves and remove the plant before flowering and/or don't forget to add the enriched capsules.
This plant has been grown safely as an ornamental plant for many years. Double Purple is one of my favorites. Many garden plants are poisonous and you will regret buying the wrong seed. I have noticed you expressing concern and warning others, but there is nothing I can do. Readers should not eat plants that they cannot identify with certainty. Fortunately, in this case, the fig fruit is not easily confused with the egg.
Lisa answered
Oh thank you. I appreciate your reply. Once I get rid of this plant, will the rest of my garden be okay? We did a lot of work in the garden and it was great. Should I be worried about cross contamination?
Let me know if you have any trouble solving the problem. This solves the problem now so I don't expect pollution. I haven't read about the potential problems, but I have to admit I've never thought about growing it in the garden before. Lisa's reference to contamination refers to a case in Australia where the plant was transplanted into a commercial spinach garden and the young leaves were harvested and distributed with the spinach. See Jimsonweed for more information.
In our garden
Surprise of the week - small bushes grow on the roads. These are flowers and hydrangeas. Small plants are growing under my old plant, but no hydrangeas yet.
Cooler temperatures should allow the garden to achieve its productivity. Look for new growth and flowers, then new vegetable crops. Lettuce and spinach that prefer cold weather, remember that leafy plants can flower, sow seeds and need to be removed and planted in the garden.
A week in the garden
Planting: Plant, but protect from heat, late-growing cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, peas and broccoli in late summer or early fall. Seeds that need a cold period to germinate, such as poppies. Start thinking about adding asters and chrysanthemums to your fall garden or as part of a container. Keep new plants until the weather cools down. Combine jars for easy water.
Season: Supports tall flowering stems and vines. The last flower bud grows. In autumn and winter, many of them feed on birds and small mammals. From annuals that you want to skip the winter or other favorite plants that grow too big to bring indoors. Order asparagus, rhubarb, bulbs, flowering and fruit trees and shrubs for fall planting. Shop the nursery for end-of-season sales or new fall arrivals. Often weeding and pruning flowers from plants that cannot be removed. Cut off dead flowers and damaged, diseased and dead leaves to keep flower beds clean and re-growing. In particular, make sure that flowers and daylilies do not produce seeds. Grow the peony leaves until they fall off, then cut them. Summer-flowering bushes are cut two weeks after flowering. Apply corn gluten weed killer to the garden and set an application schedule, usually four to six weeks apart.
Lawn: Buy seeds for fall lawn and broadleaf weed control. Plan your lawn and have sod installed in early fall. Treatment for bed bugs and spider mites. Buy fertilizer and apply it if needed until mid-October. Trim as needed depending on the board, not 2 ½ to 3 inches tall. Use a sharp knife. Continue to water newly planted or lawn areas; Less than an inch of rain in places for a week. Apply rosette control preview. Close holes and depressions in the lawn. Apply corn gluten weed killer in the garden; Reapply in four to six weeks.
Objectives: To get the plants, start preparing them to send them. Replace the ones you need and leave the ones you want to overwinter at home. Harvest regularly, at least every two days. Check the pipe; Replace washers and repair leaks. To control mosquitoes, drain standing water and remove anything that collects rainwater. See seed list for late crops and fall sowing. Water all recent plantings and containers when there is less than an inch of rain in a few weeks. Check for damage around doors and windows. Protect vulnerable plants from deer, rabbits and groundhogs. Reapply deodorant or air freshener. A clear gutter and direct rainwater away from the foundation of the house.
Tools, equipment and consumables: Inspect, repair or replace spring tools and consumables. Sharpen a blade, get fresh gas, check and/or change oil. Send in mowers and tractors for adjustment or repair.
Safety: Before mowing, clean the lawn of debris and make sure pets, children or other people are not in the mower. Store garden chemicals indoors away from pets and children. Donate alumni at local chemical collection events. Take photos of storm damage and send them immediately before cleanup or repairs. Any time you are outdoors and the temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, tick bites are common. Apply an insecticide containing Det. Apply permethrin to clothing. Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, a hat, and long pants when gardening. Stay hydrated. Drink water or other caffeinated alcoholic beverages. Even in cold weather, wear sunscreen, a hat, and limit sun exposure. Wear closed shoes and gloves; Wear protective glasses; And wear hearing protection when using noisy power tools.
Sue Kitek is a freelance horticulture columnist, writer and speaker. Send questions to the Garden Keeper at grdnkpr@gmail.com or email: Garden Keeper, Morning Call, PO Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.
