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Is it a Brugmansia or a Datura?
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Brugmansia (Angel Trumpet) and Datura (Devil's Trumpet) are two of the most popular flowering plants in South Florida. Unfortunately, most people don't know which is which, although the differences are actually quite striking.
Brugmansia and Datura have been recognized as two distinctly different plants for over 100 years, and in 1973, they were finally officially classified as two separate genuses of the Solonaceae family.
Differences in Size and Flowers
Brugmansia plants have woody stems (like shrubs or trees), while Datura plants have herbaceous stems (non-woody).
The flowers of Brugmansia point downward, thus the name "angel trumpet". Datura flowers are erect, pointing upward, thus the name "devil's trumpet". Both can have double or triple blooms, but only Datura blooms have blue and purple hues. Brugmansias come in shades of white, yellow, orange, and pink. Daturas come in shades if white, yellow, blue, purple, and multicolored blue/white or purple/white.
Difference in Growing Requirements
Brugmansias require frequent watering and fertilization in order to grow and bloom the first year. Datura don't like much water, in fact, if they are grown in a rainy locale, they should be sheltered from too much water, or they will rot. Datura are technically weeds, thus don't need much, if any, fertilizer. Datura stromonium or Jimson weed, is actually a very common roadwide weed in much of the U.S.
Toxicity
Both plants are toxic, and can be deadly if taken in large enough doses. The most dangerous use of these plants is use as hallucinogens. Although some forms of datura have been used in this way for thousands of years in religious ceremonies, the dose that works is very close to the dose that will kill you.
If you get the sap from these plants on your hands while pruning, be sure to wash your hands before touching your face, mouth, or eyes. It's always best to use gloves when working with either of these plants.
Seed Differences
Daturas produce many round, sometimes spiny seed pods, while Brugmansia have seed pods that range from egg shape to a very large, long, spindle shape. Datura seem to be easily pollinated, while Brugmansia are able to be pollinated only by certain insects, and spontaneous pollination and seed production in the garden is rare.
While Datura come true from seed, most Brugmansia seedlings from self-fertilized plants will produce only white flowers. Even hybridized Brugmansia seeds produce mostly white flowering offspring.
Propagation Differences
Brugmansia are usually propagated by cuttings, since the seeds may not produce a duplicate plant. Datura are generally propagated easily by seed, which generally produce plants identifical to the mother plant. Datura are not easily propagated from cuttings, as the stems tend to rot before rooting
Blooming Temperature Difference
Brugmansias, most being mountain species, prefer cooler temperatures to bloom, where daturas will bloom during warmer temperatures. However, there are a couple of Datura species that don't like the heat.
Both of these plants are lovely additions to your garden, and with the proper care can bring you many years of enjoyment.
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