Q. Could you please identify this plant? It is growing in my garden and was partially eaten by a groundhog. The plant is about 18 inches and has very large leaves. The plant bloomed and there were many buds, and now prickly-like pods. Need help identifying this plant and some tips for controlling groundhogs.
-- Elaine B., Rockaway
A. The plant that you are describing is Datura stramonium or jimson weed. This a relatively common weed in pastures, cultivated areas and open fields in New Jersey.
Jimson weed is in the family Solanacea, also known as the nightshade family. These annual plants can reach 1 foot to 5 feet in height. Leaves can be 3 inches to 8 inches long, and 3 inches to 6 inches wide, with irregular, pointy edges resembling a pin oak leaf. The 2-inch to 7-inch long flowers of jimson weed are trumpet-shaped and can be white to purple in color. Flowers open in the evening and form a tight cluster during the day.
Seed pods are the size of walnuts and covered by spines or prickles. The seed pod has four distinct chambers, with dozens of small black seeds in each quadrant. Most parts of the plant will release a foul odor when crushed or bruised.
Jimson weed is also called angel trumpet, hells bells, gypsum weed, ditch weed, loco weed, Korean morning glory, devil's trumpet or devil's snare. The plant also was called Jamestown weed, since it was attributed to British soldiers drugged by the weed during Nathaniel Bacon's rebellion in 1676. Jimson weed has spread throughout many parts of the world, but is believed to be native to Central America and India.
The groundhog must have been very hungry to munch on this plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous and animals often avoid it because of its strong odor and unpleasant taste. Some hungry animals on sparse pastures have been poisoned by this plant. Poisoning is more common in people. Plants should be removed and discarded where young children or hungry animals are present. In yards and gardens, it is best to remove plants by pulling or digging them out by hand and discarding. The seeds can survive composting, so remove any seed pods before adding to the compost pile. Discard the pods.
To control groundhogs: The best way to control groundhogs is to keep them out with a fence. Fences need to be at least 3 feet high, since I have seen groundhogs jump over shorter fences. Bury six inches to 12 inches of the fencing underground and angle it outward 45 degrees on the bottom. Leave the top six to eight inches loose, so that groundhogs will fall off as the fence bends backward. Many groundhogs can climb over a rigid fence. Some repellents can work, but their effectiveness depends on the hunger level of groundhogs and alternative food sources.
To learn more: Visit njaes.rutgers.edu or ifplantscouldtalk.rutgers.edu for gardening information and fact sheets. You can go to njaes.rutgers.edu/county for a listing of your local County Cooperative Extension garden help-line contacts throughout the state.
Bill Hlubik is a professor and agricultural and resource management agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension-The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University. He is also a host of the "If Plants Could Talk" television series on NJN Public Television. Send your garden inquiries to Plant Talk, The Star-Ledger, 1 Star Ledger Plaza, Newark, N.J. 07102-1200 or e-mail them here.