A Witch's Garden: Jimsonweed

Disclaimer

This is NOT a page about Wiccans or neo-pagans, and I do not advocate the belief that Wiccans are Satan-worshippers and/or baby-killers. I am well aware that they are not. This is a starting point for historical research into the great witch craze of 1100-1700 AD. And please, don't ask me for spells.

Jimsonweed

Part of the datura family, and also known as thorn apples, jimsonweed is a poisonous weed of the deadly nightshade family. It has large violet or white trumpet-shaped flowers and unpleasant-smelling foliage.

"The name jimsonweed is an abbreviation of Jamestown weed. In the 17th century, British soldiers in Jamestown, Virginia, picked the plant and ate its leaves for food. They became deranged for several days and were jailed to keep them from injuring themselves. After 11 days they recovered and could remember nothing of the incident" (Mendelson & Mello 83).

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A Witch's Garden is copyright 1997-1998 to Shantell Powell.
The preceding botanic illustration is from The Virtual Garden Search Engine, part of the Time Life Electronic Encyclopedia.