Habitat

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   Although Datura stramonium's roots lie in stories from both India and Central America, it is obvious from the diagram below that it is a common species (green equaling presence of the plant). For more information on your state, simply click the image below. The linked site will allow you to navigate by state to observe which specific areas Datura stramonium inhabits.

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Preferred Habitat

          Although jimson weed grows in many habitats, the species does prefer certain conditions. The Datura sp. is heavily influenced by sunlight and justly thrives in a drier climate. Jimson weed in particular can be found in numerous areas including but not limited to pastures, barnyards, fields, waste ground, cultivated areas, roadsides, and railroads. Because of its ability to proliferate so well, instead of discussing where jimson weed is not found, the following will list the preferred conditions of Datura stramonium. Interestingly enough botanists who breed the plant follow several of theses principles to maximize their plants growth.

          Again, if you interested in identifying Datura stramonium, remember that its defining characteristics are listed on the classification page.

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Soil
          The soil that jimson weed prefers must be aerated and permeable.  High amounts of clay or loam tend to harbor a damp environment to which harmful fungi and other organisms will attack the root system of the plant. In fact, many times people who cultivate the Datura sp. themselves will add a fungicide to better protect the plant. Also, the addition of larger rocks (natural) or pumice (artificial) to the soil increases the aeration and resultantly aid in the plants growth.

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Water
          Unlike the typical nutritional needs of a photosynthetic organism, Datura Stromonium has adapted to thrive in drier climates. In fact, the species upright flowers makes them susceptible to damage from rain, as they many times will fill up and rupture at the weakest parts. Although this does not stand as the sole reason for their preference
towards drier climates it is
a large contributor.

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Overall
          Datura stramonium as seen above is located in many different areas, and although it does prefer  a warm and dry environment it is not confined to one. Full-grown Datura plants are very resilient and can even fend off organisms that would kill many other plants. This being said jimson weed must have suitable conditions to survive and reproduce.

Continue to the Interactions page to see how Datura stramonium affects the world around us!

   ...Or return to the home page for a fresh start.