Species library · Berries & fruit

Foraging Thorn-apple

Datura stramonium

Typically in season from July to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Grassland, Scrub & hedgerows. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Thorn-apple (Datura stramonium)

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Taka assumed (based on copyright claims). (CC BY-SA 3.0)

When Thorn-apple is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak July to November. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

Thorn-apple is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland, Scrub & hedgerows.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Deadly look-alikes: Deadly nightshade, Black henbane, Sacred thorn-apple. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Thorn-apple into the field

Open Thorn-apple in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Thorn-apple: common questions

When is Thorn-apple in season?

Thorn-apple is generally in season from July to November in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Thorn-apple grow?

Thorn-apple is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland, Scrub & hedgerows.

Is Thorn-apple safe to forage?

Deadly look-alikes: Deadly nightshade, Black henbane, Sacred thorn-apple. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits