Monday 10 May 2010

Angel Trumpets

In answer to many who asked what these flowers are -

IMG_1885_edited-1

I believe they are commonly known as Angel Trumpets.

Here is the description from Wikipedia.

Brugmansia are large shrubs or small trees, reaching heights of 3–11 m, with tan, slightly rough bark.

The leaves are alternate, generally large, 10–30 cm long and 4–18 cm broad, with an entire or coarsely toothed margin, and are covered with fine hairs.

The name Angel's Trumpet refers to the large, very dramatic, pendulous trumpet-shaped flowers, 14–50 cm to 20 inches long and 10–35 cm across at the wide end. They are white, yellow, pink, orange or red, and have a delicate, attractive scent with light, lemony overtones, most noticeable in early evening. Flowers may be single or double.

[edit] Toxicity

All parts of Brugmansia plants contain dangerous levels of poison and may be fatal if ingested by humans or animals, including livestock and pets. Contact with the eyes can cause pupil diliation (mydriasis) or unequal pupil size (anisocoria).[3] Some municipalities prohibit the purchase, sale, or cultivation of Brugmansia plants

 

We found them in the mountain area in the Costa Blanca growing behind a stone wall. As you can see, they were very large compared with my friends hand

Beautiful

none of us realised that they sare extremely poisonous – luckily no ill effects.

If you Google them you will see some stunning different coloured ones.

5 comments:

  1. Goodness, dramatic and dangerous. How can something so lovely be so wicked?

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  2. Thanks for the ID! They are stunning.

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  3. Jean, I grow these in the garden, they are quite common in this area and I did know about them being poisonous - had several but only two have survived the Winter this year and are poking through and leafing out. Mine are actually the single flowers and a deeper pink. The yellow ones didn't make it. They take forever to grow tall and then bloom at the very end of Summer, quite spectacular.

    Today is it - last chance to pack and from the looks of you would think I was going on a safari! Oops, I AM!!! Leave Raleigh tomorrow at 1PM and spend the night at JFK hotel where, God willing, Paula & Jen will arrive from San Fran. Just hope Babs get out of Heathrow on Thurs. (darned volcano) and then we all meet up in Jo-burg Fri. morning early and have that day and night there, then flying to Botswana on Sat. Gosh, I'm already exhausted just thinking about it!

    Won't be blogging or in touch with anyone here - but hopefully arrive home in one piece on evening of May 29.
    See you later - love to all. Hope you feel better dear.
    Mary X

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  4. They truly are beautiful JJ, thanks for all the information on them.

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JJ