red angel's-trumpet

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• red angel's-trumpet
• red floripontio
• Red Angel's Trumpet
• Thorn Apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Brugmansia sanguinea var. glabra
• Brugmansia aurea
• Datura sanguinea
• Datura rosei
• Elisia mutabilis
• Datura sanguinea f. coccinea
• Brugmansia lutea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales, it is classified under the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Brugmansia, specifically as the species Brugmansia sanguinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across significant portions of the Pacific and North America. In Mexico, it can be found growing in both the Central and Southeast regions. Its range extends far across the ocean to reach the islands of New Zealand. Within New Zealand, the species is established in both the North and South Islands. Additionally, its presence is noted specifically within the Chatham Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Brugmansia sanguinea is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient and varied environmental settings. This species is found inhabiting habitats ranging from coastal regions to high-altitude montane environments. Its vertical distribution is extensive, with an elevational range that begins at 1,100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3,700 m AMSL. This broad ecological amplitude allows the plant to adapt to different climatic pressures associated with both sea-level moisture and the cooler, thinner air of high-elevation ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Life history

The life history of Brugmansia sanguinea is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a robust presence in its habitat. As a phanerophyte, it exhibits a growth habit where its buds are borne on branches well above the ground, typically forming a large, woody shrub or small tree structure. This phanerophyte life form ensures that the plant's reproductive and vegetative organs are elevated, facilitating efficient nutrient transport and structural stability over its long lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Brugmansia sanguinea is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine. It is a terrestrial species that exists independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 4 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 3.75 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3.75 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Brugmansia sanguinea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. The vegetative structure is supported by large, expansive leaves that play a critical role in light interception and gas exchange; these leaves typically exhibit a consistent width of 18 cm, with both the mean and minimum measurements recorded at this value, while their length can reach a maximum of 35 cm. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

35 cm

Leaf width mean:

18 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Brugmansia sanguinea is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects. The flowering period for this species is highly versatile, with the flowering start occurring in December, though it can bloom throughout the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit with a mean length of approximately 9 cm. The resulting seeds are highly consistent in size, possessing a fixed length of 10 mm, with both the minimum and maximum measurements recorded at exactly 10 mm.

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit length mean:

9 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

10 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Brugmansia sanguinea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Chemicals

Brugmansia sanguinea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tyrosine betaine.

Tyrosine betaine

1. Journal of applied microbiology

Activities

Brugmansia sanguinea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Preparations

Brugmansia sanguinea has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extract, methanolic extract.

Leaf extract

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Methanolic extract

1. Frontiers in nutrition