Datura, one of the most critical genera belongs to the Solanaceae family, which has approximately nine to 15 species worldwide and three species Datura innoxia, Datura metel and Datura stramonium in Iraq. The main morphological features include trumpet-like flowers, spiny fruits, ovate leaves, and malodorous foliage. The Datura exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-cancer properties that can be used for pharmacological purposes. The present investigation, taking into account the distribution of Datura in Iraq, aims to examine the disparity in the morphological and palynological characteristics and antimicrobials of Datura metel, Datura innoxia, and Datura stramonium in Iraq. For this purpose, 19 populations from seven provinces including Al-Najaf, Diyala, Baghdad, Al-Hilla, Karbala, Al-Diwaniya and Al-Kut were collected in central Iraq at a specific time and at the same altitude. Numerical taxonomy analysis revealed, that based on the way the capsule opens and the condition of the margin, corolla length, calyx lobe length, stamen length, and leaf length for separating Datura metel, Datura stramonium and Datura innoxia are placed in separate clusters. Results of palynology showed that the pollen shape of Datura innoxia is Triangular convex-prolate, in Datura metel spherical-prolate and in Datura stramonium it is quadrangular. The results of the antibacterial effects of Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus revealed that Datura metel leaf extract had a higher antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus than on Klebsiella pneumoniae. Also, the results of Morphometry study indicate the closeness of Datura innoxia to Datura metel, while palynological results have been shown Datura innoxia closely related to Datura stramonium. Therefore, extensive genomic study with more populations of this genus in Iraq are recommended.
