Poisonous plant found in Bamford

A highly toxic plant has appeared growing wild in a garden in Bamford. It is known as a Thornapple, a member of the nightshade family.  

It can only grow here in a hot summer and it is thought that the seeds may have been included in a batch of wildbird food.

All parts of the plant are toxic and it should not be handled by bare hands.

The Royal Horticultural Society says on its website: “Datura stramonium (thorn apple).

“Thorn apple is a weed that prefers a warmer climate than Britain, but in hot summers weather they are quite commonly found.

 

 

“Another common name, devil's snare, sounds alarming, but a few simple precautions will enable gardeners to handle this weed without great risk.

“Although quite a striking plant, it is as well to be aware that all parts, particularly the seeds, are highly poisonous. It belongs to the Solanaceae, a family which includes the potato and tobacco, and many members of this family contain toxic substances.

“This weed can grow to heights of 1m (3¼ft). It flowers from July to October with wide, funnel-shaped flowers. These are usually white but plants with purple or lilac flowers and purplish stems are referred to as Datura stramonium var. chalybaea (syn. D. stramonium var. tatula).

“It produces seedpods which are large and spiny (hence the common name thorn apple) though plants with spineless seedpods are known and these are referred to as D. stramonium var. inermis.

“The leaves very broad and coarsely toothed.”

Rochdale Borough Council’s head of environmental management, Martin Taylor said: “Thorn apple is a common annual weed in Britain and generally appears on cultivated land. We’d direct residents to the Royal Horticultural Society website (RHS.org.uk) for up-to-date information on how to remove it from your garden.

"The waste can then go in your brown bin for collection.”