The ?antap cult were not the only folks taking thorn-apple, Datura meteloides, D. wrightii, or any of the several Datura species that cause hallucinations. The most common American name for the plant, jimson weed, came from a bizarre episode in Jamestown, VA in 1676, at the height of Bacon’s Rebellion:

“The James-Town Weed (which resembles the Thorny Apple of Peru, and I take to be the plant so call’d) is supposed to be one of the greatest coolers in the world. This being an early plant, was gather’d very young for a boil’d salad, by some of the soldiers sent thither to quell the rebellion of Bacon; and some of them ate plentifully of it, the effect of which was a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for several days: one would blow up a feather in the air; another would dart straws at it with much fury; and another, stark naked, was sitting up in a corner like a monkey, grinning and making mows [grimaces] at them; a fourth would fondly kiss and paw his companions, and sneer in their faces with a countenance more antic than any in a Dutch droll.

In this frantic condition they were confined, lest they should, in their folly, destroy themselves—though it was observed that all their actions were full of innocence and good nature. Indeed, they were not very cleanly; for they would have wallowed in their own excrements, if they had not been prevented. A thousand such simple tricks they played, and after eleven days returned themselves again, not remembering anything that had passed.”

Robert Beverley, Jr. The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705

Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of jimson weed are legendary. In fact, this one is the “Most Valued Piece of Art in Human History,” proving Oscar Wilde’s advice: if you would increase the value, you must first increase the price.

For more on the Datura cult of the Valley’s Indians, take in View my continuing series about the founding of San Fernando Mission : “The Theatre of Conversion.”