Scientifically named Datura stramonium, the ‘Devil’s snare’ is a plant characterised in it’s prickly seed pods. The many names for the specimen are interesting and varied, often based on physical characteristics or chemical properties.
‘Stickweed’ – due to its foul smell
‘Thorn apple’ – due to its spikey appearance
‘Angel’s trumpets’ – a term used by gardeners, describing its long lily-like flowers on the stem
Interestingly, there is a connection to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. In this case, the Devil’s Snare refers to a magical plant with the ability to constrict or strangle anything in its surrounding environment or something that touches it.
The species is native to North America, but is aggressive so has spread to become a worldwide plant in warmer climates. Traditional medicine is what it is also known for, for centuries it’s been utilised across the globe. In India it’s smoked to ease symptoms of asthma whilst in North America and China is was used as an anaesthetic and painkiller.
Along with the more playful examples of terms for it, there are a handful of more sinister sounding examples like ‘Hell’s bells’ and ‘Devil’s cucumber’. This is because it can be toxic in large doses – which can lead to delirium, hallucinations, increased heart rate, increased body temperature and even death in some cases. Interestingly, this more dark association with the plant continues into the wizarding and magical world of Harry Potter, within which, the Devil’s Snare refers to a magical plant with the ability to constrict or strangle anything in its surrounding environment or something that touches it.
With all this talk of nature and traditional medicine, why no check out the new exhibition A Picture of Health: Exeter’s Medical History at the museum – to learn more of the city’s medical past and have a look at some recently identified medical objects from RAMM’s collections.
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