Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens) Willdenow, 1809

 

Synonyms: Datura suaveolens, Brugmansia albidoflava, Datura albidoflava, Datura arborea, Datura gardneri, Pseudodatura suaveolens, Stramonium arboretum, Night Bells, Brazil's white angel trumpet

 

Brugmansia suaveolens is found in the Neotropics, but its natural distribution and current status are somewhat a mystery. The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers B. suaveolens native to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil (from southern Bahia to northern Rio Grande do Sul), but the species is thought to be extinct in the wild; no reasons for extinction were given. Contrary, Flora e Funga do Brasil treats it as naturalized in eastern Brazil, giving its origin as Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Others call it native to Peru. Nonetheless, B. suaveolens grows in the tropical forests of eastern Brazil, usually at river banks and forest edges below 1,000 m. This species also occurs in cultivation throughout much of Central and South America; introduced elsewhere. It is a shrub or small tree, up to 3-5 m in height. Leaves are semi-evergreen, ovate, up to 25 cm or longer. The flowers are pendulous, trumpet-shaped, white, yellow or pink, about 24-32 cm long; sweetly fragrant in the evening; pollinated by moths. Leaves of B. suaveolens are main larval food source of the butterfly Placidula euryanassa.

 

		D36930 Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens) Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized use of our images is NOT permitted.
Hotlinking or "pinning" of our images to websites is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Copyright © Michael Patrikeev - All Rights Reserved