Brugmansia is the plant genus known as angel’s trumpet and contains the hallucinogenic tropane alkaloid scopolamine. Its large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers hang downward, giving the plant its distinctive common name.
Brugmansia belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae, and all parts of the plant can be poisonous. In addition to scopolamine, it contains atropine and hyoscyamine. These compounds interfere with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and can cause delirium, confusion, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, paralysis, coma, or death.
Brugmansia is often confused with Datura, sometimes called devil’s trumpet. The two genera are closely related and share similar toxins, but Brugmansia generally has woody growth and pendulous flowers, while Datura is usually herbaceous with upright flowers. Brugmansia species originated in South America and are now cultivated worldwide as ornamental plants. Several are classified as extinct in the wild despite surviving in gardens and collections.