Indiana, let’s get something clear here: not all flowers are pretty. Sure, they might look nice, but what some of them are actually capable of is pretty unnerving. Take, for example, datura stramonium: you’ve probably seen these little buggers in so many places that your brain essentially dismisses it as a background weed. Some folks might find themselves drawn to the plant thanks to its bright-white blooms and enjoy seeing them in their yards, but this particular plant harbors a very dark secret: it is one of many poisonous plants in Indiana, and not only will it kill you – it’ll hurt the entire time you’re dying. Keep your eyes peeled for this botanical beast and don’t touch it (unless you’re removing it with gloves of course).

Datura stramonium goes by many nicknames: Jimson Weed, stinkweed, Devil's weed, thorn apple, and so on - so forth.
Mike Lewinski/Flickr
It's not an ugly plant, per se, though it's quite common and thought of by most as a weed. You've probably seen it growing in unkempt yards or making itself home along fence lines and/or inside cracks in the pavement of parking lots.
Despite its white flowers, this little devil is anything but nice.
Todd Wiggins/Flickr
Touching or smelling the plant does nothing. However, should you be foolish enough to ingest any part of the plant (particularly the seeds), you're in for a long, usually terrifying and sometimes fatal trip to hell and back.
Some folks might confuse this species of Datura for some others, like Datura wrightii, also known as "Sacred Datura".
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
Trust me, though - there's nothing at all sacred about this particular fella. D. stramonium is not playing.

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So, what happens if you're foolish enough to ingest it?
Andreas Rockstein/Flickr
First, you get sick. Very sick. Survivors of datura poisoning (because that's what it is - poisoning) have described the first hours after having ingested the plant as being some of the worst of their lives, with uncontrollable vomiting and extreme pain, flushing, and tachycardia.
Next, you'll find that you need to urinate - badly - but it's impossible to do.
Pictoscribe - 5 Million + Views/Flickr
Next comes the disorientation. The incredibly vivid, very-real-to-you hallucinations. But don't get me wrong: Datura is not a hallucinogen. It is very different from hallucinogens - it's a deliriant. Under the influence of deliriants, the human brain loses all touch with reality. This plunges the unfortunate soul who ingested it into a horrifying world that is very, very real to them - just not to the rest of the world.
People have, in fact, died while under the demon's-claw influence of Datura.
Renee Greyson/Flickr
Though death is indeed uncommon, it DOES occur, and it's in no way a pleasant or peaceful way to go. Some have also reportedly died as a result of falls from great heights, unknowingly wandering onto roads, and other direct effects of being in a state of delirium.

And so, Indiana, should you see this alluring little weed in someone’s yard – or your own – don’t touch it. Watch small children and animals around it; if possible, consider having it removed. There are other, significantly less harmful flowers you can plant instead!

In the mood for some nice flowers now? No worries – me too. Check out this awesome u-pick flower farm in Indiana located in beautiful Delphi.

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