Jerry’s Jungle

Brugmansia, also known as Angel Trumpet is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. That’s the same family as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and chili peppers. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with large, pendulous flowers. They are all beautiful. Most are extremely fragrant.

Brugmansia is often confused with a close relative, Datura. Datura, or Devil’s Trumpet has herbaceous stems (not woody). I have often heard it said that you can tell the difference with this old saying: “Angel Trumpets blow DOWN from heaven. Devil Trumpets blow UP from hell.”

The difference between Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia) and Devil Trumpet (Datura).

Like many common ornamental plants, all parts of Brugmansia can be toxic. All seven species of Brugmansia are listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List.