I was wondering if anyone could explain the major differences between Angel Trumpet and Datura? I know they are NOT the same, but just curious of what everyones thoughts are on the difference between the two. I am still a newbie myself, but I am sure there are other newbies out there that would appreciate knowing the difference between the two.
Thanks for all your thoughts on this!
Brug Versus Datura
Hey misty - I am a newbie too and was wondering the same thing. All I know is that brugs trumpets face down and datura faces up. I have some seeds from a newbie package that just say angel trumpet. I think I read somewhere that daturas may also be called angel trumpets (I have seen them called devils trumpets) am curious to see what grows.
Hey epb, I am sure someone will come along and answer us. :) I call the Datura Moonflower cause it's just easier! :)
Well all that I know is that angel trumpets blooms hang down while Datura's hang upwards I am truly more interested in brugs however which is the angel trumpet...
I definitely prefer the Brugs, too! :)
I am pretty new to brugmansias as well. I believe daturas are more of a herbaceous bush only getting 4-6 feet tall. They have their blooms pointed up. Brugmansias are more of a tree form that get more of a woody trunk that can get up to 8- 10 feet tall. Their blooms hang down. Any experts are more than welcome to expand on this or correct me! :)
This message was edited Mar 26, 2008 10:56 AM
Maybe ZZ or one of the other resident experts will be by later to help us out. :)
Datura flowers do point up while Brugmansia flowers generally point downward. Some Brug flowers lie horizonally. That line can blur a bit.
Datura are annuals, although a few are perennials. However they all die down during the winter. Brugmansias are woody shrubs and in their native habitat or areas without frost can get tree sized.
The most telling difference is in the seedpods. The Datura seedpod has prickly projections all around it. Brugmansia seedpods are smooth without projections
Datura can produce true from seed. Brugmansias do not, except for B arborea and B. sanguinea. I've lost track of my Preissel Brugmansia and Datura book so that's all I can add right now.
So, overall, there isn't really a lot of difference, is what you are saying? I had Datura last year, and sure do like the Brugs much more so than those. :)
What if someone was trying to sell Angel Trumpet/Datura as the same thing? How would you tell the difference between the two once removed from their pods?
Brugmansias and Daturas are different enough that they can't cross pollinate each other. Over time you learn to tell the difference. But, here goesmy attempt at explaining the difference :Daturas have relatively small leaves, many with slightly grayish hairy looking leaves. The stem don't become woody. The leaves and/or stems, in the case of purple flowering Daturas, are purple. You don't see this in Brugs. The Datura leaf shape varies greatly.
http://www.erowid.org/plants/show_image.php?i=datura/datura_inoxia_flower4.jpg
http://www.erowid.org/plants/show_image.php?i=datura/datura_stramonium_leaf1.jpg
http://www.erowid.org/plants/show_image.php?i=datura/datura_inoxia_flower8.jpg
http://www.erowid.org/plants/show_image.php?i=datura/datura_inoxia_leaf2.jpg
http://www.erowid.org/plants/show_image.php?i=datura/datura_metel_seedpod__i2005e0087_disp.jpg
http://www.erowid.org/plants/show_image.php?i=datura/datura_stramonium_leaf1.jpg
Brug leaves are more or less elliptical or ovate and can get rather large. The edges are entire (smooth edged), slightly wavy or single toothed
Wow, thanks bettedee, a lot of good info there!
Her goes my 2 cents worth we all get confused but the Daturas we have to replant every year in zone 8 the angel trumpet we put in the ground and it comes up year after year. If I am wrong not because of my planting but they are two different plants , I am sure the people on here that are totaly into them will tell you this . I lost my pink brugs and am heart broken cause was moms faviorte over all and they are a shurb haven't seen a Datura make it to this point in my area yet. they are 2 different plants but both beautiful. don't know if this helps and there are lots out there that can tell you more than I can. Best of luck ,
Carolyn
Thanks, Carolyn and I am so sorry you lost a Brug!!!
In my humble opinion, Brugmansia is superior to Datura. The Dat flowers may last a day or 2, before rusting, while the Brug flowers last for several days and up to 10 or more days.
Betty, there are cases where Brugs and Daturas have been crossed.
kenboy
Ken, what has the result been? Are the seeds viable?
Kenboy, I have planted seeds of that cross and they were doing really well. They have since dropped their leaves for some reason. The leaves are growing back, and they still appear healthy, but they're growing very slowly.