English: Base of the stem and exposed root system of an overwintered specimen of Datura metel 'Fastuosa' (Hindi 'kala dhatoora' = 'black datura'). The plant was purchased in the Autumn of 2019 from a specialist nursery in Manchester. By the beginning of April 2020 the plant was still alive but not thriving - no signs of any new top growth. When turned out of its pot, investigation of the exposed root ball revealed a severe infestation of root mealy bug. Most of the infested potting compost was shaken and prised from the root system and this was then washed repeatedly in cold water until not a single mealy bug remained and the roots were completely exposed. The plant was then repotted in fresh, uninfested compost. This 'kill or cure' treatment must have damaged a certain proportion of the delicate root hairs clothing the roots, but, after a further week or so lacking in increased top growth, the plant recovered completely, producing leaves, flowers and, by late August 2020, ripe fruits with abundant seed. Having fruited successfully, the plant died in the Winter of 2020-2021 (despite having been created from Datura innoxia (which often perennates by means of tuberous roots) D. metel is a short-lived 'species' more closely resembling a rather sparse small shrub). Note that in this image the root system appears only slightly tuberous, consisting mostly of fibrous roots. Note also that the very base of the stem, abutting the root, is clothed in matt, buff-coloured bark while the stem above this is clothed in the characteristic glossy, purple-black bark described in the Hindi name for the plant. 'Kala dhatoora' has been known in India since around the second century A.D. and is sacred to the god Shiva, from whose chest it is said to have sprung after he drank and transmuted the terrible poison Halahal, churned by the gods from the cosmic Ocean of Milk (Hindi: 'Kshira Sagara').