Datura quercifolia
Oak-leaved thorn-apple
(c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Herb
Datura quercifolia (Oak-leaved thorn-apple) is a California herb in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by deeply lobed oak-like leaves and low elevation habitat.
Oak-leaved thorn-apple is a naturalized annual found in disturbed areas at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from June to July and September to November, this plant produces white to violet or purple flowers 4 to 8 centimeters long with short, narrow lobes. Growing 30 to 80 centimeters tall with sprawling to erect stems that are nearly glabrous or sparsely hairy, it has a distinctive spreading habit. Its leaves are 6 to 16 centimeters long, coarsely toothed and deeply pinnately lobed, creating a ragged, oak-like appearance. The fruit is an erect capsule about 25 millimeters wide, covered in sharp prickles 5 to 20 millimeters long that are particularly long and stout at the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. Distinguished by deeply lobed oak-like leaves and low elevation habitat.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: to Oregon, eastern United States, native to southwestern United States and Mexico
Bloom period
Datura quercifolia blooms Jun-Jul, Sep--Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Calystegia: Datura has spiny seed pods; Calystegia has smooth, rounded capsules.; vs Brugmansia: Datura fruits are covered in spines; Brugmansia fruits are smooth elongated pods without spines.; vs Solanum: Datura has spiny capsules; Solanum has smooth berries.; vs Marah: Datura has herbaceous stems and trumpet flowers; Marah is a vine with tendrils and separate male/female flowers.; vs Ipomoea: Datura has spiny fruits and toothed leaves; Ipomoea has smooth capsules and often lobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
When does Datura quercifolia bloom?
Datura quercifolia blooms Jun-Jul, Sep--Nov.
What plant family does Datura quercifolia belong to?
Datura quercifolia is in the Solanaceae family, genus Datura.
What habitat does Datura quercifolia grow in?
Datura quercifolia grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.