Moonflower

Moonflower is the common name for several night-blooming plants, some with white flowers, including:

• Ipomoea species (previously separated into their own genus Calonyction), including I. alba and I. turbinata
• Datura species, including D. inoxia

An hallucinogenic but poisonous plant known scientifically as Datura that has white flowers that bloom at night. Moonflowers contain scopolamine and hyoscyamine, both of which can cause anticholinergic poisoning. Symptoms occur typically within an hour after ingestion and continue for 24-48 hours. Ingestion causes a classic anticholinergic syndrome comprising central and peripheral signs and symptoms. Central toxic effects include confusion, agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, seizures, and coma. Peripheral toxic effects include dry mucous membranes, thirst, flushed face, blurred vision, hyperthermia urinary retention, and decreased gut motility. Treatment consists of supportive care, gastrointestinal decontamination (such as activated charcoal), benzodiazepines as needed for agitation, and, in severe cases, physostigmine, the antidote for anticholinergic poisoning.

Moonflower is also the name of a 1977 rock album by Santana.