What's this please

I took some soil from my compost heap and apart from some lovely tomato plants, and some Ipomia, [don't know where it came from either], but a peculiar plant with the large spiky golf ball size 'fruit' at first I thought I had some courgette or marrow, as it had a trumpet shaped flower that withered to display the fruit. I have a photo on my desktop, but don't know how to attach it

 

Hi, rudbeckia, and welcome to GC.

It appears you have found a Datura plant, lucky you if you didn't have one in the first place!

If you go to the Frequently Asked Questions section you will find instructions on how to upload photos to post onto GC.

 

Thank you for yur reply, I had a look at the websites above, but couldn't see anything remotely like the monstrosity I had,[I did cut it out] it's all green, and it seems I can't upload photos as attachments

 

I've looked up Datura in Google, and it seems it is one though as you probably know there are many, it could be highly toxic and sacred and connected with voodoo, all interesting and scary stuff, I chopped it down as it took up rather a lot of space, I think it probably seeded from some bird seed, as I certainly haven't had it in the garden before, it wasn't what I'd say very attractive, and they're selling them on ebay for peanuts :D so I don't think I've done anything drastic by giving it 'the chop' it was interesting to have a reply, must tell my friends as they are waiting to hear the result.

 

Hi, rudbeckia, I was just coming back to give you this site ... it's a super site in general so have a good look around it ...

http://www.abads.net/Rich_Sanders/rich_grow_datura.htm

No, you cannot attach photos to this site. You have to go through Photobucket, imageshack or other provider. This is all explained in the section I mentioned .... sorry, I'm not good at explaining it myself!

The sites above you looked at are mine.

There are several threads on GC regarding Daturas and Brugmansias ... I only have Brugmansias at the moment.

[ 30. September 2006, 08:15 PM: Message edited by: Lady of Leisure ]

 

Sounds like Datura stramonium. I've had it on my bonfire heap. Much beloved of Central American Indians and Carlos Castaneda enthusiasts. Been a good year for it, mine got to clumps about 8ft in diameter!

A couple of people I encountered have tried taking it for 'recreational purposes'as they say. I think it is fair to say I wouldn't recommend it based on their experiences, but it certainly is a wild and exciting looking thing.

 

Thanks Lady of L and jazid, yes according to the website you suggested it is Datura Stramonium, as I said it could only have come with the bird seed that gets fed to them in that area, also I've got some beautiful blue Morning Glory, and I've been picking self sown tomatoes, now who needs to buy seeds??
I'm pleased it mentioned it appears to be unharmful to domestic pets, as my young dog is a real trash eater, and has been sampling some green tomatoes from the same area, plus some wild mushrooms I picked earlier.
Very interesting, hope to make your aquantance again.

 

A friend or mine has just returned from RHS Rosemore and asked me to ID this flower..
Can anyone help?
This is a photo of a photo.

 

I have no idea but it should be called the eye ball flower ! Looks bizarre !

 

The pink eyeball monster from outer space, I'd say! But I think I've seen it before ....

 

..yes...in Men in Black II ?

 

The only thing I've ever seen remotely like it is pete's jatropha podagrica, which I believe is a euphorbia. Possibly a relative? The coral plant is something like, too.


[ 06. October 2006, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Liz ]

 

I think it's a Actaea baneberry which is an uncommon member of the buttercup family. It makes an eye catching addition to the woodland, moist border or poolside garden. Actaea is grown for it's display of berries during the autumn- large colourful but very poisonus.I tried to grow this once but sadly lost it.

 

Hi Stingo, Never heard of this, you're right I think! Says one name is 'dolls' eyes'
http://www.mountlehmanllamas.com/baneberry.html

 

I think it's lovely! and I might even try it again :D