Poisonous invasion: What is the 'devil's trumpet' harming crops in Iraq?
The Iraqi Interior Ministry has issued a warning about the invasive datura plant, also known as devil's trumpet, which poses a significant threat to agriculture. This plant, while toxic, has medicinal properties and has been used for centuries. Its rapid spread in Iraq is attributed to favorable environmental conditions and a decline in agricultural activity due to conflict.
- ▪The datura plant is highly toxic and affects the nervous systems of humans, animals, and plants.
- ▪It has been used medicinally for 500 years, containing important compounds like atropine and scopolamine.
- ▪The plant thrives in Iraq's nitrogen-rich soil and hot, semi-arid climate, making it an ideal environment for its expansion.
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| Original publisher | Al Jazeera |
| Canonical URL | https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/28/poisonous-invasion-what-is-the-devils-trumpet-harming-crops-in-iraq |
| Publication time | Fri, 29 May 2026 13:10:27 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-29T13:20:00.413Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-29T13:20:00.413Z |
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| Summary source text | contentText |
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| Publisher visit | Yes — open original |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
News|AgriculturePoisonous invasion: What is the ‘devil’s trumpet’ harming crops in Iraq?The spread of datura has forced the Iraqi Interior Ministry to urge farmers and citizens to report if spotted.ListenListen (4 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoA Spanish study finds that datura still possesses the potential for further geographic expansion [File: Harry Rose Wikimedia Commons]By Hamza BaderPublished On 28 May 202628 May 2026Iraq’s Ministry of the Interior has warned farmers and residents to be on the alert for an invasion of datura plants – commonly known as jimsonweed, thorn apple or devil’s trumpet.Plants like datura usually grow sparsely in desert regions but can be cultivated for their…
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