Datura: A Toxic Plant That Can Cause Hallucinations and Death

- “Toxicology Center”: We recently treated severe poisoning cases resulting from the consumption of toxic plants

- Coordination between the Center and the Agriculture and Environment Authorities to prepare a comprehensive program to curb their spread

- Do not use wild plants in preparing beverages or folk remedies without verifying their safety... and it is essential to prevent children from approaching them

An attractive yet toxic flower, the Datura has been recorded among Kuwait’s plant species, although it is an invasive species in the local environment. Given its danger, relevant authorities are mobilizing efforts to raise awareness about it, particularly following reports of its spread in several locations across the country.

The seasonal Datura plant belongs to the Solanaceae (nightshade) family and typically appears during spring and summer. Its growth and flowering may sometimes extend into early autumn, depending on temperature and humidity levels. It is characterized by large, trumpet-shaped white or purple flowers that bloom at night, large leaves with a pungent odor, and spherical, spiky green fruits containing numerous seeds.

Its danger lies in the fact that all its parts—including leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and seeds—contain toxic alkaloid compounds, particularly tropane alkaloids such as atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. Ingestion of these substances can lead to acute poisoning.

Symptoms of ingestion also include neurological and cardiac disturbances, such as dry mouth, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, confusion, delirium, and severe hallucinations. It may also cause seizures or coma, posing a life-threatening risk that can lead to death.

Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Omair, Head of the Kuwait Poison Control Center at Al-Amiri Hospital under the Ministry of Health, stated today that there are various plant species in the country that naturally contain toxic substances, whether they are ornamental plants grown indoors and in gardens or wild plants growing in open areas.

He added that the danger posed by these plants varies depending on the species, the part of the plant involved, and the method of exposure. Some plants may cause mild symptoms, while ingestion of parts of other species can lead to severe poisoning cases requiring medical intervention.

Regarding the Datura plant, he noted that it can grow and reproduce spontaneously, and its presence in a location does not necessarily mean it was intentionally cultivated. Furthermore, the presence of a toxic plant in the environment does not pose a direct threat to residents; the primary risk arises when the plant is consumed or used unsafely, underscoring the need for health awareness to prevent exposure.

He clarified that the Center recently treated severe poisoning cases in the country resulting from the consumption of toxic plants such as Datura, which required hospitalization and medical treatment, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about exposure to such plants, particularly among children.

Regarding reports of Datura in the country, he stated that the Center received reports of the plant being found in some residential areas and public places. Consequently, coordination has been established with relevant authorities for preventive awareness on one hand, and for serious action to locate and remove the plants on the other.

Al-Omair explained that the Center held a coordination meeting with the Public Authority for Environment to discuss the issue of toxic plants. Coordination is underway between the two entities to establish a clear mechanism for reporting, identifying, and assessing the risks of such plants, and determining appropriate measures for handling them, each according to their respective mandates.

He emphasized that this cooperation falls within the framework of expanding the Center’s preventive role and enhancing integration between health and environmental authorities to mitigate the risks of exposure to toxic substances and protect the health of citizens and residents.

He warned that if someone ingests a poisonous plant and symptoms appear, they must immediately go to the emergency department and seek medical advice early, without attempting to induce vomiting or use home remedies. It is also essential to keep a clear photograph of the plant or a part of it to help identify its species.

He added that the Kuwait Poison Control Center provides specialized advice around the clock at 1804774 regarding exposure and poisoning cases, assisting in determining appropriate medical procedures based on the type of exposure and the patient’s condition.

He advised against using wild plants to prepare beverages, folk recipes, or home remedies without verifying their identity and safety. He urged people not to tamper with or consume them, to keep children away from them, and to leave their assessment and handling to the competent authorities.

For her part, Sharifa Al-Salem, Head of the Wildlife Monitoring Department at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (Environment), stated that “Datura” is a seasonal poisonous invasive plant in the Kuwaiti environment. Ingestion can cause poisoning, hallucinations, and disturbances in the nervous system, heart rhythm, and various bodily functions, potentially leading to death.

She added that the Authority discussed with the Kuwait Poison Control Center during a recent coordination meeting reports received regarding the presence of some poisonous plants near public places, with Datura being the most prominent.

She clarified that the meeting also addressed mechanisms for handling reports concerning poisonous species of wild terrestrial and marine life, including scorpions—with the black-tailed scorpion being the most common in the country—snakes such as the desert black snake and sea snakes, jellyfish, and some spiny poisonous fish like the stonefish.

She noted that the meeting discussed ways to enhance coordination and information exchange among competent authorities and to designate contact points to ensure rapid response and appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks to public health and the environment.

She pointed out that this meeting is part of the Authority’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with relevant stakeholders, monitor sites of poisonous plants, and take necessary measures regarding them.

She called on the public not to touch, collect, or consume these plants, nor to touch or handle the aforementioned creatures, and to report their locations to the competent authorities, thereby contributing to community protection and the preservation of biodiversity.

On her part, Nof Al-Hushash, Acting Director of the Environmental Rehabilitation Department at the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, stated that the Datura plant is characterized by its ability to adapt to various environmental conditions, grow in open lands and environmentally disturbed sites, and produce large numbers of seeds capable of remaining dormant in the soil for long periods before germinating when suitable environmental conditions, particularly moisture and water, are available.

She added that the availability of suitable conditions contributes to increasing the plant’s spread and the difficulty of controlling it, highlighting the importance of a scientific and systematic approach to handling poisonous plants, especially invasive species that possess a high capacity for spread and reproduction in local environments. This is within the framework of efforts aimed at protecting public health and preserving the environment and plant diversity in the country.

Regarding the legislative and regulatory aspect, she clarified that the Seed, Seedling, and Cutting Regulations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries constitute one of the relevant legal frameworks governing the trade and monitoring of seeds, seedlings, and cuttings, thereby supporting efforts to limit the introduction and spread of unwanted plant species.

It was noted that the Agriculture Authority plays a fundamental technical role in identifying plant species, assessing their environmental characteristics and spread risks, and contributing to formulating appropriate technical recommendations for their management and control within the competencies stipulated by prevailing national legislation and in coordination with relevant authorities.

It was reported that the Agriculture Authority proposed holding a joint coordination meeting with the Poison Control Center and the Environment Authority, with the aim of preparing a comprehensive national program to address this plant and curb its spread, in accordance with the competencies and responsibilities of each entity.

Al-Hashash clarified that the program will focus on conducting a comprehensive field survey to map the locations of its spread, determine its density and growth stages, prioritizing sensitive sites, including schools, public facilities, parks, and areas frequented by children.

She explained that the meeting participants will carry out a scientific assessment of the health and environmental risks associated with the presence of the plant, paving the way for developing a technical plan for control and safe removal when necessary. This plan will identify the most suitable methods for handling existing plants, fruits, and seeds, as well as mechanisms for collecting toxic plant waste, transporting it, and disposing of it using approved methods that prevent the re-spread of seeds or expose workers and the public to poisoning risks.

She pointed out that the plan will also include a monitoring and periodic follow-up program for treated sites, given the ability of “Datura” seeds to remain viable in the soil and germinate again under suitable conditions, thereby ensuring the evaluation of the effectiveness of control measures and limiting the recurrence of the plant’s spread.

She emphasized that community awareness constitutes the cornerstone and most critical element of the proposed program, through the preparation of educational and scientific materials to introduce this plant and other toxic plants prevalent in Kuwait, detailing their morphological characteristics, health risks, and safe handling methods, in collaboration with relevant health, educational, and environmental authorities.

She noted that dealing with invasive toxic plants requires a comprehensive national approach that integrates scientific knowledge, environmental assessment, field monitoring, and community awareness, thereby contributing to the protection of public health, mitigating environmental risks, and enhancing the sustainable management of the country’s vegetation cover.