Ask the Plant Expert:

“I have moonflowers I grew last growing season (I am located in Wyoming) in a pot. I harvested the seeds and planted in several pots this year. What I noticed growing in the middle of our grass, by my children’s trampoline, is something that looks like a hybrid moonflower. The flowers are similar (just smaller). They are just as fragrant, and they are developing seed pods (just like the ‘regular’ moonflower plant). However, it look much different. The leaves are shaper (not rounded like the other plants). Do you think this moonflower somehow bred with a seed to a weed?

I am attaching two pictures of the plant in question. It shows the leaves, blooms and seed pods. Any help would be appreciated! I don’t know if I should harvest these seed pods, or destroy them! The plant smells pretty, so I hate to do that, but I also don’t want some weird, unknown thing growing around my yard! Thank you so much!” – Angela

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
I believe what you have there is a relative of your moonflower. Your moonflower is a type of Datura and this new mystery shrub is in the same family. I believe it to be Datura stramonium or Datura leichhardtii. I would think this is more likely to be a random weed than a hybrid of your moonflower and a rogue weed, but I guess stranger things have happened.

Although the flowers are beautiful, all Datura plants contain tropane alkaloids which are toxic, so you might want to keep this in mind when deciding whether it stays or has to go! Hope this helps!