Brugmansia suaveolens
Commonly referred to as Angel's Trumpet(s), Brugmansia suaveolens is an aesthetically magnificent angiosperm of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and is closely related to Datura spp. (Rätsch, 2005). It should be noted that species now classified under the genus Brugmansia were once classified under the genus Datura (Lockwood, 1973; Schultes & Plowman, 1979; Ott, 1996). Thus, older literature concerning Brugmansia spp. often describes these plants as an arboreal Datura spp. or tree datura (Bristol, 1966; Ott, 1996). Additionally, the flowers produced by Brugmansia spp. resemble (to a greater or less degree) those of species under the genus Datura.
Distributed throughout South America, B. suaveolens is common throughout Amazonia and the Peruvian Andes, though its cultivation has spread worldwide (Schultes et al., 2001; Schultes & Raffauf, 1992; Rätsch, 2005). Thus, horticultural varieties can be found throughout the United States. According to Schultes & Plowman (1979), it's likely that a botanical knowledge of Datura spp. from Mexico and the American southwest was taken with indigenous migrants into South America, where such knowledge was extrapolated to Brugmansia spp.
Presenting with large, trumpet-shaped flowers, B. suaveolens is a large perennial bush that can reach a height of 3-5 meters (Bristol, 1966). The trumpet-like flowers are relatively large in appearance, growing up to 30 cm in length, usually presenting with a pink or white coloration, a 5-pointed corolla, and a 3-5 toothed calyx (Rätsch, 2005; Bristol, 1966). The formation of fruitbodies is rare. However, in instances where fruitbodies appear, they present as short, spindle-shaped structures with an "irregularly gibbous" surface (Rätsch, 2005). Such fruits house large light-brown seeds approximately 1 cm in length (Rätsch, 2005). Cultivation of this species is often carried out via cloning (Rätsch, 2005), which the author has found to be incredibly easy to conduct by simply planting cuttings directly into soil without the use of rooting hormones.
Plants classified under the Solanaceae family, such as species under the genus Brugmansia, Datura, and Nicotina, follow a C3 photosynthetic pathway (Llano, 2009). Additionally, B. suaveolens is known to biosynthesize various biologically active phytochemicals, with some reports indicating as many as 125 different compounds (Petricevich et al., 2020). Notable chemicals biosynthesized by this plant include tropane alkaloids, such as scopolamine and atropine, both of which occur in other psychoactive species throughout the nightshade family (Petricevich et al., 2020; Rätsch, 2005; Schultes et al. 2001). Scopolamine is a principal biologically active chemical constituent of Brugmansia spp., constituting 0.3-0.55% of the plant material's dried weight (Ott, 1996). Solanaceous roots (such as those of brugmansia, Datura, and Nicotina) produce the biologically active base-compounds, such as scopolamine, which are transported up the plant through the xylem to the leaves, where the alkaloids accumulate and transform into a wide array of other chemical products (Bais et al., 2001). However, it should be noted that all parts of the plant are poisonous (Rätsch, 2005; Ott, 1996; Schultes et al., 2001). It has been reported that nitrogen availability in soil can increase the production of plant alkaloids (Nowacki et al., 1976), and the author has come across anecdotal reports of heightened toxicity in both Brugmansia and Datura spp. following heavy rainfall.
The effects of ingesting the plant material of B. suaveolens have been described as powerfully hallucinogenic (Schultes et al., 2001). It should be noted that the toxicity of the tropane alkaloids found in Brugmansia spp. can be fatal, as there is a significant risk of anticholinergic toxidrome (Krenzelok, 2010). However, scopolamine has found its place in the modern pharmacopeia as a treatment for motion sickness, while atropine is commonly used to dilate pupils (Scholtz et al., 2019). When prepared as a decoction, Brugmansias can induce a comatose-like state, which can persist over 24-hours (Vickers & Plowman, 1984). However, the author has collected anecdotal reports of effects lasting up to 48-hours. Such reports are similar to those concerning Datura, as delineated by Weil (1977).
Often referred to as Toé throughout western Amazonia, B. suaveolens is often employed as an additive to preparations containing B. caapi, such as yajé or ayahuasca (Schultes & Raffauf, 1992; Vickers & Plowman, 1984). The use of Brugmansia spp. as an additive to yajé is employed by the Siona and Secoya Indians of eastern Ecuador and the Kofán of Ecuador and Columbia (Vickers & Plowman, 1985; Schultes & Raffauf, 1992). According to Schultes & Raffauf (1992), the Kofán prefer the use of pink varieties over white, as they believe that the latter's potency is problematic due to excess toxicity. Thus, only a few leaves are added to the potion of yajé, due to toxcicity (Schultes & Raffauf, 1992; Vicker & Plowman, 1984).
According to Schultes & Raffauf (1992), the Sharanahua employ B. suaveolens in a liquid administered into the eyes. Such a practice appears similar to European cosmetic applications of Atropa belladonna in the 15th century. During the period in question, Italian women would sometimes apply the belladonna sap into their eyes for the purpose of achieving a glassy, wide-pupil appearance (Richardson,1986).
Other uses and preparations vary depending on location, though most practices generally include using the plant's leaves, stems, or seeds in infusions (Ott, 1996). In the Peruvian Andes, Brugmansia leaves are sometimes applied externally as an analgesic (De Feo, 2003). Similar uses of Brugmansia spp. have been recorded in the Columbian Andes, where the leaves and flowers are heated in water, then applied as a topical paste for the amelioration of tumors and joint swellings (Schultes, 1955). Schultes & Raffauf (1992) communicate that the Kofán frequently feed Brugmansia to dogs, though the reason for such a practice was not well understood at the time of their publication. It has been hypothesized that part of the reason for such a practice is to increase the hunting ability of the dogs (Schultes & Raffauf, 1992; Rätsch, 2005). In southern Mexico, the shamans of the Tzeltal are known to smoke the plant’s leaves for divinatory or entheogenic purposes (Rätsch, 2005). However, it is noted by Rätsch (2005) that Tzeltal shamans warn of overindulgence, claiming the manifestation of demonic visions and insanity.
The author has been engaged in a horticultural endeavor concerned with plants of the Solanaceae family for some time now. It is the author’s opinion, as well as the opinion of Rätsch (2005), that the robust, sweet aroma of Brugmansia suaveolens is somewhat intoxicating, described by Rätsch (2005) as “bewitching and inebriating.” When cultivated in doors, this “bewitching’ aroma becomes ubiquitous throughout the evening, when the flowers open to their full potential. Strangely enough, Peruvian folklore expresses a concern for the potential of permanent insanity induced by the act of sleeping underneath Brugmansia plants [Rätsch, 2005 cites Schultes (1980) for this information, though the reference does not appear in his bibliography. It is likely that this should have been cited as Schultes & Hofmann (1980) on The Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens. However, the author does not have access to Schultes & Hofmann (1980) at this time. Thus, a proper citation should be seen as pending and anecdotal to Rätsch, 2005 until confirmed by the author.].
To highlight a subjective report on the purported aromatic intoxicant effects of the plant in question, the author recalls inhaling the sweet scent at close proximity (less than 1 cm away from the flower), after which a mild four-hour euphoria manifested, accompanied by a visual sharpness and soft-glow of objects in the environment. However, such effects are anecdotal, and little has been written on the phenomenon. To the authors knowledge, insanity did not follow this encounter, not to mention other events of falling asleep near the plant. On a cautionary note, the author advises against such a practice due to the known toxicity of the plant. Additionally, the potential manifestation of prolonged psychological damage (“insanity”) is a common theme presented throughout the literature on cross-cultural attitudes toward the plant.
Page Author: Ryan M. Teets (2021)