Hallucinogenic Devil's Trumpet plant found in back garden

One of the world's most toxic plants, the hallucinogenic Devil’s Trumpet, has been discovered in the back garden of a couple's home in North Yorkshire. The 2ft deadly plant, which is more commonly found in the hotter climates of South America and the Mediterranean, is sitting among the herbs and shrubs in Alan McDonald's garden in Sleights.

Mr. McDonald, 45, who has been told the plant is apparently a Class B drug, said he was startled to have made the rare find. The plant is so called because of its lilac trumpet shaped flowers.

He said: "Three or four weeks ago I was just digging when I found it. It was only about four inches high.

"Normally there are hyacinths growing round that area and as soon as they started to die we realised there was something else growing there with a red stem. I was quite excited.

"I looked it up on the internet and every part of the plant is poisonous, even smelling the flowers can affect you.”

The joiner, who lives with his partner Jane Lyth, had his suspicions confirmed after seeing reports of a similar recent finding in Coventry. He contacted Whitby Museum who sent a botanist to examine the plant. "It is quite rare especially in the north (of England), but if you talk to farmers around here they know where to find them dotted around the fields."

Mike Yates, a botanist from Sleights, who specialises in the identification of plants and flowers, said: "There are records of the plants in North Yorkshire. We see about one or two per year in the whole of north east Yorkshire.

"In England we call it the Thorn Apple. They are more common in areas of South America and the Mediterranean.”

The plant is believed to arrive in bird seed sold to feed wild birds. Mr Yates said: "I think it comes from the unusual bird seed people buy and the seeds can germinate for long periods. The weather can affect them and especially the rain we have been having recently. They must not be eaten or touched or anything like that."

The plant belongs to the `witches’ weeds’ group, along with deadly nightshade, and most parts contain toxic hallucinogens.

Those who experiment with it for hallucinogenic effect can suffer disorientation, blurred vision, a dry mouth and incontinence. Overdoses can result in death. The plant has been used throughout history in different form, with Italian woman reportedly rubbing it on their eyes to enlarge their pupils to enhance their beauty. Despite its reputation, Mr McDonald has decided to keep the plant in his garden.

"We will keep it unless the police come round as it is a class B drug apparently," he said.

Earlier this month Anne Nowell discovered a 4ft Devil’s Trumpet in her garden in Coventry.


/Telegraph.co.uk/