Question

Explain the structure of the Datura plant with a diagram?

Answer 1

Hint: Datura is a genus of flowering plants from the nightshade family known across the world for their potential as a poison medicine. They are also known as Jimsonweed, Moonflower, Devil’s Weed, and Devil’s Trumpet. They have trumpet-shaped flowers with a sweet scent. Of the nine Datura species, the best known are Datura innoxia and Datura metel.

Complete answer:
The flower which has five parts is called an ideal flower. Datura flower has five parts. Let us see the parts of a Datura flower.

(i) Pedicel: Small green stick-like structure, which holds the flower on the stem, is called pedicel.

(ii) Thalamus: The top of the pedicel forms a flat disc-like structure; this is called thalamus. The thalamus holds all other parts of the flower on it.

(iii) Calyx: The outermost green cup-shaped structure is the calyx. In datura, five green leafy structures unite to form the cup-shaped calyx. These structures are called sepals.Calyx protect other internal parts from adverse external environment

(iv) Corolla: The whorl of petals next to calyx is known as corolla. In this flower, corolla is either creamish white or pink or violet in color. Corolla is composed of five petals, which join along their edges to form a trumpet or funnel shaped structure. Corolla attracts insects.

(v) Androecium: Androecium is the third inner whorl of a complete flower. It is composed of
five stamens. Each stamen is composed of two parts, the lower portion is a fine thread-like filament and the upper portion is an elongated anther. The filaments remain attached to the petals but the anthers remain free. Each anther has two lateral lobes. Within this numerous pollen grains are stored. These pollen grains are the male reproductive units of a flower.

(vi) Gynoecium or Pistil: The innermost whorl of a complete flower is the gynoecium. Gynoecium is composed of units called carpel. Datura has two carpels in its gynoecium. The two carpels join together to form a long necked pitcher-shaped structure. The swollen base is the ovary. Ovary has ovules in it. The tube-like part emerging from the ovary is called style. Stigma is the apex of the style. It is slightly swollen and sticky. Stigma catches the pollen grains during pollination.gynoecium produces fruits and seeds.


Note: All the parts of datura contain dangerous levels of poison like tropane alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, which are considered deliriants or anticholinergics.Datura can affect the nervous system badly.