The angel's trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens Berchtold & J. Presl) was 'discovered' by Alexander von Humboldt and Aime Bonpland during their travels of South America in the early 1800s. Christiaan Hendrick Persoon named the genus in honor of Sebald Justin Brugmans (1763-1819) a professor of natural history in Leiden.

There are five species of Brugmansia, but numerous hybrids and cultivars. The plants belong to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. The photographed angel's trumpet is probably a hybrid.

Like other members of the Solanaceae, Brugmansia contain tropane alkaloids, particularly scopolamine and L-hyoscyamine. The leaves, unripe seed capsules, and seeds have the highest content. These alkaloids have been used by indigenous groups in South America as part of religious rituals and rites-of-passage. Brugmansia is also the source of burundanga. (See Herbal Folklore, October 29, 2001)

Numerous human fatalities have occurred from the ingestion of these plant parts. Surprisingly, livestock poisoning is rare; the plants are bitter and foul-smelling as a warning to their toxicity. Bovines are too intelligent to put it in their mouths.

Angel's trumpet flowers are extremely fragrant during the evening hours. The flowers attract the hawkmoth (Manduca sexta) which has an extra long proboscis to feed from the nectaries.

The American Brugmansia and Datura Society has more information about and numerous photographs of these fragrant plants. To learn more or to join their society, click on the link:

http://home.att.net/~perennials/menu.html