Brugmansia and Datura look alike, but they are actually different plants. Here are a few tricks to tell them apart.
Both are called “trumpet vines” in common language.
- Brugmansia – “Angel’s trumpets” – are always showering blessings from above
- whereas Datura – “Devil’s trumpets” – always want to catch these gifts for themselves!
Difference between Brugmansia and Datura
There are quite a few ways to tell Brugmansia and Datura apart. Here they are summarized in a short table:
Part of the plant | Brugmansia | Datura |
Flower | Dangling, hangs down from above | Upright, stands up from below |
Flower color | White, peach, yellow | White, purple |
Bearing | Shrub growing to a small tree | Low-lying, rarely exceeds a yard in height (1 m) |
Stem or Trunk | Turns woody and thickens | Stays green and dies back |
Seed pod | Smooth with pointed tips, shaped like bean pods |
Roundish with spikes on the husk, like a chestnut |
Seed pod | Fuzz on the skin of the pod | No hairs or fuzz, slick skin |
Seed spreading | Pod slits open, decays, seeds fall off |
Pod bursts open, seeds propelled to a distance |
Similarity between Datura and Brugmansia
Both Datura and Brugmansia belong to the same family, the Solanaceae family. They share certain attributes in common.
Fragrance – both Datura and Brugmansia release a strong, heady fragrance that is delightful. In confined areas it can even become overpowering.
- Flower – Trumpet shaped! Bugles grown for the armies of angels and demons alike!
- Leafage – leaves are typically shaped like those of other solanaceae plants. Leaves have wavy edges for most varieties. For example, they’re similar to leaves from eggplant and potato.
- Toxicity – both Brugmansia and Datura are toxic from root to tip. Avoid growing if your pets tend to nibble anything within reach.
Note: if your toddler or child has eaten brugmansia or datura plant parts, get in touch with emergency or poison services in your area immediately.
Which is best – Brugmansia or Datura?
Depending on the size of your garden, you might prefer either Brugmansia and Datura.
Brugmansia will grow rather large, up to several yards tall. It grows into a tree-like shrub.
You can guide it along a lattice to ensure it doesn’t fall over. This is especially relevant when growing it along a wall, where growth is imbalanced.
Datura stays rather small, and tends to send new branches out from the base when older ones die off.
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