A taxonomic account of the genus Datura in Australia is presented. Wild populations of D. stramonium, D. ferox, D, leichhardtii, D, inoxia and D. wrightii occur and D. metel is cultivated and
occasionally persistent. A comprehensive revision of the genus has not been attempted, but full
descriptions based on a study of herbarium specimens, plants in the field and cultivated material are
provided for each of the six species, of which five are naturalized aliens. D. leichhardtii has generally
been considered an Australian endemic but the closely related species D. pruinosa (which may be
conspecific) occurs in central America. This raises the biogeographical problems of trans-Pacific
distribution. Although the application of names is in accordance with current usage, some nomenclatural problems are outlined. A key for the identification of species is presented. The genus
Brugmansia, often treated as a section of Datura, is represented in Australia only by species in
cultivation.
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