Today we are going to talk about a bush that, although it has a quite attractive appearance, can be harmful. Its about Brugmansia suaveolens. At present, it is a plant that belongs to the Solanaceae family, which is made up of about 60 species of shrubs. It is also known by other common names like trumpet of judgment, trumpeter, floripondio or tree of trumpets.
In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics and care of the Brugmansia suaveolens.
Key features
It is a shrub whose natural habitat is found in the Andes area of Colombia, northern Chile and southeastern Brazil. It has been able to be spread throughout much of the world thanks to the fact that it can tolerate different environmental conditions. The most normal thing is that they are cultivated in small groups that serves to form screens on the walls. It serves both for planters and pots. This allows them to be placed both in patios, greenhouses, terraces or interiors that have a lot of light. One of the things that is not recommended is to plant it in places where there are children. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, it is a plant with great beauty but that can become toxic if ingested.
The Brugmansia suaveolens It is a perennial shrub that can reach 11 meters in height if it is in its natural habitat and in good condition. If we sow it in a vase it will grow much less, reaching only two meters. The leaves are large reaching measure between 10-30 centimeters long and 4-18 centimeters wide. They are alternate-type leaves with an oval shape and usually have jagged edges. If we touch it, we will notice a certain very fine hairiness. We can also observe the nerves of the flowers quite marked.
This species is endowed with pendulous flowers that are shaped like a trumpet, hence its name. They are flowers that exceed 20 centimeters long and have a yellow, red, pink or whitish color. Depending on the species, it will turn one color or another. The flowering season begins in the fall season and lasts until spring. As for the fruit, it is an obovate berry that looks like a fairly long spindle. Inside the fruit we find up to 300 seeds of a tiny size.
Not only is it a quite beautiful shrub with ornamental qualities, but it also has a very particular perfume. The perfume is something similar to what happens with the lady at night. It is a kind of perfume that manifests itself at night and draws the attention of bats and insects. These animals are its main pollinators, although some variants are controversial has by hummingbirds.
Caring for the Brugmansia suaveolens
In order to have our copy of Brugmansia suaveolens we must comply with a series of basic attentions that we must take into account. We are going to go step by step describing what are the main care that the Brugmansia suaveolens.
The first of all is the lighting and the temperature. They are the main aspects that determine the location of the plant. You have to ensure direct exposure to the sun, or at least a very well lit area. It is interesting that you can have exposure to the sun during the less intense hours and you always have to avoid frost. Although it can tolerate for a short time, it is not recommended that it be prepared in temperatures below 5 degrees.
As for the soil, you can add some mixed peat and sand to increase drainage. It is a plant that needs a lot of drainage in the ground to avoid puddles. Otherwise, if rain or irrigation water accumulates, the roots can rot. If you want to plant the Brugmansia suaveolens In a pot, it is best to transplant it every two years into a larger pot so that it can continue to grow properly.
Watering is an aspect that should be done at least once a week during spring and summer. When autumn arrives, the frequency of watering must be reduced to approximately 10 days. If the winter is quite cold, it is only necessary to water it every 2 weeks. Although it is a type of plant that tolerates some warmth, it is advisable to spray the leaves with water as long as the plant is indoors. It is important that the water with which we spray the leaves does not have lime.
Fertilizer and multiplication Brugmansia suaveolens
We are going to see what type of compost this shrub needs in order to grow better. It is recommended to use a mineral fertilizer that helps to reinforce every 20 days with another dose. Especially, the fertilizer is more recommended in the spring and summer time. Let’s not forget that it is essential to perform maintenance tasks to prune branches and flowers that have withered. The variety of pruning and maintenance have to be done once the flowering season has ended.
On the other hand, in order to multiply the Brugmansia suaveolens semi-mature cuttings are needed. This is quite a complicated mechanism if the one cultivating it is somewhat inexperienced. It is advisable to consult other people who have more knowledge and consult specialists in garden stores or greenhouses.
It is necessary to warn about the use of this plant as ornamentation. As we have mentioned before, it is a plant that is toxic if ingested. Its toxicity comes from its high content of tropan alkaloids. Most of the plants belonging to the genus Brugmansia have this toxicity. Among some of the symptoms that we can have if we ingest this flower are the following:
- Excessive dryness in the mouth and throat
- Hallucinations, among which the persecution stands out
- Distorted images
- Dreams
- Recovery of some forgotten memories
- Feeling of well-being and euphoria
- Feeling of panic
- Learning problems, inattention and concentration
In many parts of the world the trade in Brugmansia suaveolens it is forbidden and is used for indigestion in some shamanic ceremonies just for fun. The downside of symptoms appears when the degree of intoxication is not controlled. Experts know the concentration that should be consumed for the positive effects.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Brugmansia suaveolens and their characteristics.
