Garden Detective

Photos submitted by reader Stephanie Gaylor (Thank you!)

I've fallen off the plant-of-the-week schedule, but whenever there's a noteworthy plant I'll be sure to profile it. Datura wrightii certainly qualifies as noteworthy this morning.

The plant, in the Solanaceae, or potato, family, is a tropical (tender) perennial with arrow-shaped veined velvety leaves and fragrant flowers that smell like peanut butter and resemble white petunias, except they're the size of your hand. In New York, it can be quite invasive. I would have posted a photo but every one I found was copyrighted. Poke around the web and you'll find plenty.

All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, and since last spring, rumors about its misuse by miscreants to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists have been circulating the internet. One email that's making the rounds contends that Americans are soaking buisiness cars in burundaga or "zombie powder," the toxic substance from the plant, and handing them to unsuspecting tourists. One whiff of the "strong smelling odor" and the recipient is rendered incapacitated and subsequently robbed.

According to snopes.com, there is no truth to the rumor. The drug has been used widely enough in by robbers and rapists in Colombia that the U.S. State Department has issued a warning to Americans traveling there:

"Use of disabling drugs: The Embassy continues to receive reports of criminals in Colombia using disabling drugs to temporarily incapacitate tourists and others. At bars, restaurants, and other public areas, perpetrators may offer tainted drinks, cigarettes, or gum. Typically, victims become disoriented or unconscious, and are thus vulnerable to robbery, sexual assault, and other crimes. Avoid leaving food or drinks unattended at a bar or restaurant, and be suspicious if a stranger offers you something to eat or drink."

However, there haven't been any verifiable reports about Americans using the drug against tourists here. Besides, for the toxins to have any effect, they need to be ingested, not inhaled from a business card.

"The alkaloids contained in burundanga (scopolamine and atropine) are powerful toxins that at lower doses produce dry mouth, dizziness, sweating, and blurred vision, but at high doses can cause delirium and unconsciousness. Scopolamine has some legal medical applications, including its use as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, as a sedative, and as a motion sickness preventive," according to the Snopes website.