ˈthorn-ˌapple
The common name of Datura Stramonium, N.O. Solanaceæ (see Datura), a coarse annual plant bearing large funnel-shaped white flowers, succeeded by large four-celled capsules covered with prickly spines; also the capsule or fruit itself. Also formerly called thorny apple.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens iii. lxxxvii. 440 Fruite, round as an apple.., beset rounde about with many prickley thornes, and therefore they call it Thorne apple. 1694 W. Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 680/2 Fresh Leaves of Strammonium bearing Thorn Apples. 1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 619 The Thorn-apple..is a violent narcotic when taken internally. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 415 Crenation of the red-corpuscles, giving rise to the so-called mulberry and thorn⁓apple forms. |