The large white blooms of sacred datura (Datura wrightii), ranging from six to ten inches long, can easily catch your attention during summer at Red Rock Canyon. This trumpet shaped flower opens during the evening hours to attract moths and withers during the day to protect itself from the hot sun. When not in bloom, you’ll notice the large gray-green leaves adding color to the desert floor. Sacred datura is a poisonous plant and consuming any part of the roots, leaves, stems, seeds, or flowers can cause illness. Used very rarely by Natives, the plant causes hallucinations and allowed partakers to have past or future visions, visit dead relatives, and see through objects to find lost items. Other common names include western jimson weed and thorn apple.

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