[swannymere]

 Hi, New to the forum and i'd like the help of the forum to identify a plant growing on a friends allotment, thanks in advance for any help.

 

[DD.]

Datura Stramonium (Thorn Apple)

http://www.chileflora.com/Florachilena/FloraEnglish/HighResPages/EH0031.htm

and welcome to the forums!

Oh - it's poisonous to eat!

[swannymere]

 Thanks very much, what's the best way to get rid of it? Dig it out and burn?

[DD.]

Sounds good!

[Salmo]

Every part of the thorn apple plant is poisonous. It suddenly appears like yours and then is not seen again so presumably the seeds can lay dormant for years.

 Cattle and sheep avoid it but in the US, where it is more common, it sometimes poisons cattle when made into hay. The leaves smell unpleasant.

Years ago I can remember a case of children being poisoned by eating the seeds. Apparently they are black and shiny so you can see why children might like to play with them.

Pull it up and burn it.

[sunshineband]

I agree -- pull it up and burn it before it starts to invade 

Has lovely flowers and someone planted some on our site and the council ended up having to intervene to remove it