Brugmansia suaveolens

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Brugmansia suaveolens
-2019-04-23 The Palm House, Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devon (7).JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Brugmansia
Species:
B. suaveolens
Binomial name
Brugmansia suaveolens
(Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Bercht. & J.Presl
Synonyms

Datura suaveolens
Datura gardneriHook.

Brugmansia suaveolens, Brazil's white angel trumpet, also known as angel's tears and snowy angel's trumpet, [1] is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to south eastern Brazil, but thought to be extinct in the wild. Like several other species of Brugmansia, it exists as an introduced species in areas outside its native range. It is a tender shrub or small tree with large semi-evergreen leaves and fragrant yellow or white trumpet-shaped flowers.

Contents

Description

Brugmansia suaveolens is a semi-woody shrub or small tree, growing up to 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall, often with a many-branched trunk. The leaves are oval, to 25 cm (10 in) long by 15 cm (6 in) wide, and even larger when grown in the shade.

The flowers, which tend to be white in colour, are sweetly scented at night and early morning, about 24–32 cm (9–13 in) long and shaped like trumpets. The corolla body is slightly recurved to 5 main points, but the very peaks in the true species are always curved outwards, never rolled back, and these peaks are short, only 1–2.5 cm (0.4–1.0 in) long. The flowers are usually white but may be yellow or pink and hang downward from fully pendulous up to nearly horizontal. [2]

The Latin specific epithet suaveolens means "with a sweet fragrance". [3]

Taxonomy

First discovered by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland, Brugmansia suaveolens was first formally described and published by Carl Ludwig Willdenow in 1809 as Datura suaveolens. In 1823, Friedrich von Berchtold and Jan Presl transferred these to Brugmansia suaveolens. [2] Local common names include Maikoa, Huanduc, Maikiua, Tompeta del jucio, Tsuaak, Toe, Wahashupa, Peji, Bikut, Ohuetagi, Ain-vai, Baikua, Canachiari, and Ishauna. [4] [5] There are thousands of cultivated Brugmansia hybrids, and the majority have at least some B. suaveolens heritage. [6] Some of the more popular cultivars include 'Dr. Seuss', 'Frosty Pink' and 'Charles Grimaldi'.

Distribution and habitat

B. suaveolens was originally endemic to the coastal rainforests of south-east Brazil, where it grows below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) along river banks and forest edges with warm temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall. [2] As a result of human interaction with this species, it can now be found growing in residential areas throughout much of South America; and occasionally in Central America, Mexico, California, Greece, Africa and even in parts of Florida. [7]

Ecology

Fragrant in the evenings to attract pollinating moths, they hang half-closed during the day, but return to their peak again in the evenings. [2] [8] Brugmansia have two main stages to their life cycle. In the initial vegetative stage the young seedling grows straight up on usually a single stalk, until it reaches its first main fork at 80–150 cm (2.6–4.9 ft) high. It will not flower until after it has reached this fork, and then only on new growth above the fork. Cuttings taken from lower vegetative region must also grow to a similar height before flowering, but cuttings from the upper flowering region will often flower at a very low height. [2]
One interesting example of plant/animal interaction involves the butterfly Placidula euryanassa, who uses Brugmansia suaveolens as one of its main larval foods. It has been shown that these can sequester the plant's tropane alkaloids and store them through the pupal stage on to the adult butterfly, where they are then used as a defense mechanism, making themselves less palatable to vertebrate predators. [9]

Pink flowered Brugmansia suaveolens Brugmansia 29.jpg
Pink flowered Brugmansia suaveolens

The species is invasive in New Caledonia. [10]

Brugmansia suaveolens on the Texas Gulf Coast Angel Trumpets shrub -- Brugmansia suaveolens.jpg
Brugmansia suaveolens on the Texas Gulf Coast
Brugmansia suaveolens Angel Trumpets -- Brugmansia suaveolens.jpg
Brugmansia suaveolens

Uses

Flower extracts of the plant have shown pain-killing (antinociceptive) activity in mice. [11] This antinociceptive activity may be related in part to benzodiazepine receptors. [12]
B. suaveolens is included in the Tasmanian Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone. [13] The flowers and the seeds are also traditionally used in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, mixed in water and ingested for its analgesic-like effect.

Many South American cultures have been noted to use Brugmansia suaveolens ritually. The Ingano and Siona in the Putumayo region both use it as an entheogen. It is also used by some Amazonian tribes as an admixture to increase the potency of Ayahuasca. [14] In some South American countries, it is known to be occasionally added to ayahuasca brews by malevolent sorcerers or bad shamans who wish to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. Genuine shamans believe one of the purposes for this is to "steal one's energy and/or power", of which they believe every person has a limited stockpile. [15]

Cultivation

Brugmansia are grown as ornamentals outdoors year-round in non-freezing climates around the world. They do not tolerate temperatures that fall significantly below 5 °C (41 °F) [1] Like other large-leaved, fast-growing plants, they appreciate a little protection from the wind, as well as from the hottest afternoon sun. They like organically rich soil, frequent water, and heavy fertilizer when in full growth. Both woody and leafy tip cuttings are used to propagate Brugmansia, although thicker cuttings tolerate lower humidity. In northern climes they are often grown out in large containers and wintered over in non-freezing garages or basements. [2] Alternatively they are suitable for a sunny conservatory. They may be trained as standards (with a single, straight trunk).

In cultivation in the UK this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [1]

Toxicity

Every part of Brugmansia suaveolens is poisonous, with the seeds and leaves being especially dangerous. [16] As in other species of Brugmansia, B. suaveolens is rich in scopolamine (hyoscine), hyoscyamine, atropine, and several other tropane alkaloids. [17] Effects of ingestion can include paralysis of smooth muscles, confusion, delusions, tachycardia, dry mouth, constipation, visual and auditory hallucinations, mydriasis, rapid onset cycloplegia, and death. [18] [19] [20]

Related Research Articles

<i>Datura</i> Genus of poisonous, potentially psychoactive plants

Datura is a genus of nine species of highly poisonous, vespertine-flowering plants belonging to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). They are commonly known as thornapples or jimsonweeds, but are also known as devil's trumpets. Other English common names include moonflower, devil's weed, and hell's bells. All species of Datura are extremely poisonous and psychoactive, especially their seeds and flowers, which can cause respiratory depression, arrhythmias, fever, delirium, hallucinations, anticholinergic syndrome, psychosis, and death if taken internally.

<i>Datura stramonium</i> Species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae

Datura stramonium, known by the common names thorn apple, jimsonweed, devil's snare, or devil's trumpet, is a poisonous flowering plant of the nightshade family Solanaceae. It is a species belonging to the Datura genus and Daturae tribe. Its likely origin was in Central America, and it has been introduced in many world regions. It is an aggressive invasive weed in temperate climates and tropical climates across the world. D. stramonium has frequently been employed in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. It has also been used as a hallucinogen, taken entheogenically to cause intense, sacred or occult visions. It is unlikely ever to become a major drug of abuse owing to effects upon both mind and body frequently perceived as being highly unpleasant, giving rise to a state of profound and long-lasting disorientation or delirium with a potentially fatal outcome. It contains tropane alkaloids which are responsible for the psychoactive effects, and may be severely toxic.

<i>Datura wrightii</i> Species of plant in southwestern North America

Datura wrightii, commonly known as sacred datura, is a poisonous perennial plant species and ornamental flower of the family Solanaceae native to the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is sometimes used as a hallucinogen due to its psychoactive alkaloids. D. wrightii is classified as an anticholinergic deliriant.

Angel's trumpet may refer to:

<i>Brugmansia</i> Genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae

Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae. They are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous flowers, and have no spines on their fruit. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, adjacent to the nickname devil's trumpets of the closely related genus Datura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deliriant</span> Class of psychoactive drugs

Deliriants are a subclass of hallucinogen. The term was coined in the early 1980s to distinguish these drugs from psychedelics such as LSD and dissociatives such as ketamine, due to their primary effect of causing delirium, as opposed to the more lucid and less disturbed states produced by other types of hallucinogens. The term generally refers to anticholinergic drugs, which are substances that inhibit the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Common examples of deliriants include plants of the genera Datura and Brugmansia as well as higher than recommended dosages of diphenhydramine (Benadryl). A number of plant deliriants such as that of the Solanaceae family, particularly in the Americas have been used by some indigenous cultures to reach delirious and altered states for traditions or rituals, such as rites of passage, divination or communicating with the ancestors. Despite their long history of use, deliriants are the least-studied class of hallucinogens in terms of their behavioral and neurological effects.

<i>Datura innoxia</i> Species of plant

Datura innoxia, known as pricklyburr, recurved thorn-apple, downy thorn-apple, Indian-apple, lovache, moonflower, nacazcul, toloatzin, toloaxihuitl, tolguache or toloache, is a species of flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. It is more rarely called sacred datura, a common name which is applied more often to the closely related Datura wrightii. It is native to the Southwestern United States, Central and South America, and introduced in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. The scientific name is often cited as D. innoxia. When English botanist Philip Miller first described the species in 1768, he misspelled the Latin word innoxia (inoffensive) when naming it D. inoxia. The name Datura meteloides was for some time erroneously applied to some members of the species, but that name has now been abandoned.

<i>Datura discolor</i> Species of plant

Datura discolor, also called the desert thorn-apple, is an herbaceous annual plant native to the Sonoran Desert of western North America, where it grows in sandy soils and washes. All parts of the plant contain a mix of alkaloids that are potentially lethal when enough is ingested. Deaths from careless recreational use of Datura and related plants are frequently reported.

<i>Brugmansia aurea</i> Species of flowering plant

Brugmansia aurea, the golden angel's trumpet, is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, endemic to Ecuador. Since March 2014, it has been listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN but before that, it was listed as Vulnerable.

<i>Brugmansia versicolor</i> Species of flowering plant

Brugmansia versicolor is a species of plant in the family Solanaceae, commonly known as “angel’s trumpets”. They are endemic to Ecuador. Since March 2014, they have been listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN.

<i>Datura leichhardtii</i> Species of plant

Datura leichhardtii is a species of thorn apple in the genus Datura. In 1844, Ludwig Leichhardt discovered this species in Australia. Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Datura leichhardtii when he published his first description of it in 1855.

<i>Datura quercifolia</i> Species of plant

Datura quercifolia, commonly known as the oak-leaved thorn-apple, is a small shrub in the genus Datura that is native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It grows equally well in dry and moist soils and requires full sun. It contains a mix of alkaloids that are poisonous and can be potentially lethal when ingested.

<i>Datura ferox</i> Species of plant

Datura ferox, commonly known as long spined thorn apple and fierce thornapple, as well as Angel's-trumpets, is a species of Datura. Like all such species, every part of the plant contains deadly toxins that can kill animals that ingest it. Its fruit, red-brown when ripe, has unusually long thorns or spikes.

Datura lanosa is a species of Datura. Some contemporary botanists classify this plant not as a separate species, but as a variety of Datura wrightii or Datura innoxia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropane alkaloid</span> Class of chemical compounds

Tropane alkaloids are a class of bicyclic [3.2.1] alkaloids and secondary metabolites that contain a tropane ring in their chemical structure. Tropane alkaloids occur naturally in many members of the plant family Solanaceae. Certain tropane alkaloids such as cocaine and scopolamine are notorious for their psychoactive effects, related usage and cultural associations. Particular tropane alkaloids such as these have pharmacological properties and can act as anticholinergics or stimulants.

<i>Brugmansia arborea</i> Species of plant

Brugmansia arborea, the angel's trumpet, is a species of flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. The IUCN has classed Brugmansia arborea as Extinct in the Wild.

<i>Brugmansia sanguinea</i> Species of plant

Brugmansia sanguinea, the red angel's trumpet, is a species of South American flowering shrub or small tree belonging to the genus Brugmansia in tribe Datureae of subfamily Solanoideae of the nightshade family Solanaceae. It has been cultivated and used as an entheogen for shamanic purposes by the South American Natives for centuries - possibly even millennia.

<i>Brugmansia insignis</i> Species of plant

Brugmansia insignis is a South American species of angel's trumpet with large, fragrant flowers. The IUCN has listed this species as Extinct in the Wild, although like the other members of its genus its survival has been ensured by its popularity as an ornamental plant.

<i>Brugmansia vulcanicola</i> Species of flowering plant

Brugmansia vulcanicola, is a shrub or small tree belonging to the genus Brugmansia of tribe Datureae in subfamily Solanoideae of the nightshade family, Solanaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteloidine</span> Chemical compound

Meteloidine is an alkaloid found in some Brugmansia and Datura species. Its also found in Erythroxylum australe and is said to be cocaine-like alkaloid.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "RHS Plantfinder - Brugmansia suavolens" . Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Preissel, U.; Preissel, H.-G. (2002). Brugmansia and Datura: Angel's Trumpets and Thorn Apples. Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books. pp. 106–129. ISBN   978-1-55209-598-0.
  3. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN   978-1845337315.
  4. ↑ Aronson, J. K. (2008). Meyler's Side Effects of Herbal Medicines (15 ed.). Elsevier. p. 215. ISBN   978-0-444-53269-5.
  5. ↑ Nordegren, T. (2002). The A-Z Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Universal-Publishers. p. 409. ISBN   978-1-58112-404-0.
  6. ↑ "Namelist of Established Cultivars". International Brugmansia & Datura Society. Archived from the original on 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  7. ↑ Wunderlin, R. P.; Hansen, B. F. (2008). "Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants". Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. Retrieved 2011-12-04.
  8. ↑ Barwick, M. (2004). Tropical and Subtropical Trees: An Encyclopedia. Timber Press. ISBN   978-0-88192-661-3.
  9. ↑ Eich, E. (2008-01-12). Solanaceae and convolvulaceae - secondary metabolites. Springer. pp. 157, 158. ISBN   978-3-540-74540-2.
  10. ↑ Hequet, Vanessa (2009). LES ESPÈCES EXOTIQUES ENVAHISSANTES DE NOUVELLE-CALÉDONIE (PDF) (in French). p. 17.
  11. ↑ Parker, A. G.; Peraza, G. G.; Sena, J.; Silva, E. S.; Soares, M. C.; Vaz, M. R.; Furlong, E. B.; Muccillo-Baisch, A. L. (2007). "Antinociceptive Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Brugmansia suaveolens Flowers in Mice". Biological Research for Nursing. 8 (3): 234–239. doi:10.1177/1099800406293984. PMID   17172322. S2CID   24325338.
  12. ↑ Muccillo-Baisch, A. L.; Parker, A. G.; Cardoso, G. P.; Cezar-Vaz, M. R.; Soares, M. C. (2010). "Evaluation of the Analgesic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Brugmansia suaveolens Flower in Mice: Possible Mechanism Involved". Biological Research for Nursing. 11 (4): 345–350. doi:10.1177/1099800409354123. PMID   20338896. S2CID   45521800.
  13. ↑ Chladil and Sheridan, Mark and Jennifer. "Fire retardant garden plants for the urban fringe and rural areas" (PDF). www.fire.tas.gov.au. Tasmanian Fire Research Fund.
  14. ↑ Pratt, C. (2007-08-01). An Encyclopedia of Shamanism. Vol. 1. The Rosen Publishing Group. pp. 68, 69. ISBN   978-1-4042-1040-0.
  15. ↑ Campos, Don Jose (2011). The Shaman & Ayahuasca: Journeys to Sacred Realms.
  16. ↑ Biology Digest. Vol. 18. Plexus Publications. 1991. p. 23. LCCN   75646463.
  17. ↑ Evans, W. C.; Lampard, J. F. (1972). "Alkaloids of Datura suaveolens". Phytochemistry. 11 (11): 3293–3298. Bibcode:1972PChem..11.3293E. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86392-X.
  18. ↑ van der Donck, I.; Mulliez, E.; Blanckaert, J. (2004). "Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia arborea) and mydriasis in a child - A case report". Bulletin de la Société Belge d'Ophtalmologie. 292 (292): 53–56. PMID   15253491.
  19. ↑ Wagstaff, D. J. (2008). International poisonous plants checklist: an evidence-based reference. CRC Press. p. 69. ISBN   978-1-4200-6252-6.
  20. ↑ Greenburg, M. I. (2006). Disaster! - A Compendium of Terrorist, Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 84. ISBN   978-0-7637-3989-8.
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