Tolguacha. Large-Flowered Datura
Datura Meteloides, DC. Nightshade Family
Hab.—Southern California, and northward—at least to Stockton.
The large-flowered Datura is a common plant along southern roadsides, producing in early May its enormous white or violet-tinged funnels, which are sometimes ten inches long. It resembles the common Jamestown-weed, of which it is a near relative, but may be distinguished by its large flower and its cylindrical calyx, which is not angled. It shares with the Jamestown-weed its narcotic poisonous qualities, and is a famous plant among our Indians. Dr. Palmer writes that they bruise and boil the root in water, and when the infusion thus made is cold, they drink it to produce a stupefying effect. In a different degree they administer it to their young dancing women as a powerful stimulant, and before going into battle the warriors take it to produce a martial frenzy in themselves.
HAIRBELL—Calochortus albus.
By the Piutes it is called “main-oph-weep.” The specific name, meteloides, indicates the resemblance of this plant to Datura Metel, of India.