angel's trumpet

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• angel's trumpet
• downy thorn-apple
• Recurved Thorn-apple
• Fireweed
• Joy Juice
• Indian-apple
• angel's-trumpet
• angel’s trumpet
• hoary thorn-apple
• sacred datura
• thorn-apple
• Downy Thorn Apple
• Hairy Thorn Apple
• Hairy Thorn-apple
• Indian Apple
• Moonflower
• Prickly Datura
• Pricklyburr Datura
• Silky Thorn Apple
• White Thorn Apple
• pricklyburr

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Datura guayaquilensis
• Datura meteloides
• Datura velutinosa

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 and family Solanaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Datura. Thus, its formal taxonomic designation is Datura innoxia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a varied geographical presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution can be observed within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in both Germany and the regions of Czechia and Slovakia. Its range extends further south to include parts of Southwestern Europe. Specifically, it is documented inhabiting the landscapes of France and the Baleares islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Datura innoxia is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscapes, ranging from sea level to a maximum elevation of 1600 m AMSL. It thrives in specific environmental niches, frequently inhabiting anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) as well as the semi-arid Caatinga (strictu sensu) biome. To survive in these habitats, the plant employs active defense mechanisms, utilizing chemical or physical deterrents to protect itself from herbivory.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu)

Life history

The life history of Datura innoxia is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become conducive to growth. This life form allows the species to effectively colonize disturbed habitats and exploit seasonal resources, relying on the rapid maturation of its vegetative and reproductive structures to ensure the continuity of the next generation before the onset of dormancy.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Datura innoxia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than a climber or liana, maintaining a structural habit that does not require external support. In terms of stature, it exhibits variable height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Datura innoxia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative morphology features elliptic-shaped leaves that vary significantly in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, and widths spanning from 1.3 cm to 12 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on available soil nitrogen for its nutritional requirements and growth.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width min:

1.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Datura innoxia is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects. The plant produces large, white flowers that typically measure between 14 cm and 16.5 cm in length. The flowering period is seasonal, generally beginning in August and concluding in October, though the timing can be variable. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are dehiscence-type, meaning they open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit a range of masses, with a minimum weight of approximately 0.0088 g, a mean mass of roughly 0.0167 g, and a maximum weight of up to 0.1226 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

16.5 cm

Flower length min:

14 cm

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.1226 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0167287373333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.0088 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Datura innoxia has 4 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, fruit, root.

Leaf

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
2. Frontiers in microbiology
3. Scientific reports

Seed

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae

Fruit

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Root

1. Clinical neuropharmacology

Chemicals

Datura innoxia has 49 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include scopolamine, hyoscyamine, ATROPINE, Flavonoids, Meteloidine.

scopolamine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Clinical neuropharmacology
3. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
4. Frontiers in microbiology

hyoscyamine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
3. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology

ATROPINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Clinical neuropharmacology

Flavonoids

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
2. BMC plant biology

Meteloidine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

3alpha,6beta-Ditigloyloxytropane

1. Dr. Duke

7-Hydroxy-3,6-ditigloyloxytropane

1. Dr. Duke

ANTHOCYANIN

1. BMC plant biology

Apoatropine

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Datura innoxia has 118 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Toxic, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Toxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amnesigenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Anhydrotic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Datura innoxia has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus niger, Micrococcus luteus, cognitive decline, coma, delirium.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations