Datura inoxia is a member of the potato family, Solanaceae. The leaves are simple, alternate, entire and densely covered by short, soft hairs. The flowers are large and the corolla is trumpet-shaped (tubular and expanding at the mouth), usually white and in excess of 15 cm (± 6 inches) long. The calyx is long and tubular, but it breaks off near the base at maturity leaving a narrow, reflexed "collar" at the base of the flower. The fruit is a capsule with conspicuous, but relatively soft spines, opening in some form at maturity to release the many small flattened seeds.

Datura inoxia is widely grown, but is rarely found in Wisconsin in places other than gardens or very nearby. There are several species within this genus that are grown horticulturally and all should be considered potentially dangerous. All parts of the plant contain dangerous alkaloids that interfere with nervous system function, perhaps causing hallucinations, but even among those promoting the use of hallucinogens this genus is generally considered dangerous and undesireable. Small children should be protected from these plants and all others forewarned.

This species is undoubtedly more common in Wisconsin than is indicated by the map which shows only sites for which a scientific voucher has been taken and confirmed by experienced botanists.