Brugmansia sanguinea
Family
Solanaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Usually found as a garden escape in or around old de-relict houses, and woolsheds. Often found in the vicinity of garden refuse dumps.
Detailed description
Hairy shrub up to about 3 m. Large shallowly lobed leaves to 25 x 18 cm, usually smaller on flowering shoots. Large trumpet-like yellow flowers often tinged red. Capsule to about 9 cm long containing seeds
Similar taxa
Brugmansia species are often confused with Datura species (due to the common name) however, Brugmansia species are soft-wooded shrubs or small trees, while Datura species are herbaceous. B. sanguinea can be separated from the other Brugmansia species in New Zealand by the yellow flowers which are often tinged red.
Flowering
Throughout the year
Flower colours
Red/Pink, Yellow
Fruiting
Throughout the year
Year naturalised
1981
Origin
N. Andes
Etymology
brugmansia: Named after Sebald Justin Brugmans (24 March 1763 – 22 July 1819) who was an early 18th century professor of natural history at the University of Leydon. He was also a military physician and instrumental in establishing emergency hospital facilities and improvement of hospital and barrack conditions.
Reason For Introduction
Ornamental
Life Cycle Comments
Long lived shrub or small tree
Reproduction
Mostly spreads asexually by detachment of stems and layering. However, on the Chatham Islands some stands are derived from frequent fruiting
Seed
Most New Zealand plants rarely (if ever) set seed. However, at least one Chatham population has been found setting viable seed
Dispersal
Garden waste and as a garden escape. Often found established in the vicinity of old plantings.