What Is Jimsonweed?
CDC's MMWR says Datura stramonium, or jimsonweed, grows throughout the United States and that all parts of the plant are poisonous, containing the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Penn State Extension says that although it has been ingested in various forms as a hallucinogenic drug, its alkaloids are extremely dangerous and should not be consumed.
CDC's MMWR says the concentration of these anticholinergic alkaloids can vary over time and between parts of the plant, with the seeds having the highest concentration, about 0.1 mg of atropine per seed, and that cooking does not substantially affect the potency of the leaves, since atropine and scopolamine remain intact during baking.
It says jimsonweed poisoning causes dry mucous membranes and skin, thirst, flushing, fever, blurred vision, altered mental status, dilated pupils, urinary retention, a rapid heart rate, coma and, in rare cases, death. In one reported outbreak, six people were admitted to the hospital with anticholinergic toxicity after an investigation found jimsonweed had been used in a homemade stew. The MMWR says treatment with physostigmine is indicated only in severe cases to reverse the toxicity.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Medical referenceCDC's MMWR says jimsonweed grows throughout the United States and all parts of the plant are poisonous, containing atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
- Medical referencePenn State Extension says all parts of jimsonweed are poisonous, and although it has been taken as a hallucinogen, its alkaloids are extremely dangerous and should not be consumed. Penn State Extension ↗
- Government sourceCDC's MMWR says jimsonweed seeds have the highest concentration of anticholinergics, about 0.1 mg of atropine per seed. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
- Government sourceCDC's MMWR says jimsonweed poisoning causes dry skin, thirst, flushing, fever, blurred vision, altered mental status, a rapid heart rate, coma and rarely death. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
- StudyCDC's MMWR reported six people hospitalized with anticholinergic toxicity after jimsonweed was used in a homemade stew. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
- Government sourceCDC's MMWR says cooking does not substantially affect the potency of jimsonweed leaves, and atropine and scopolamine remain intact during baking. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
- Government sourceCDC's MMWR says physostigmine treatment is indicated only in severe cases of jimsonweed poisoning to reverse anticholinergic toxicity. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.