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Datura metel

Phonetic Spelling
dah-TOO-rah MET-el
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Angel's Trumpet is a short-lived, shrub-like tender herbaceous perennial, often grown as an annual, that prefers warm temperatures. In its native Texas, it is often found in sunny locations in waste places and river sands. The large flowers are shaped like trumpets (hence the common name), are slow to develop and bloom, and have an exotic fragrance; however, the bruised leaves also give off an odor that some consider unpleasant. Each flower unravels in the evening from an unusual cigar-shaped flower bud, displaying a fragrant trumpet-shaped bloom that only lasts until noon the following day. Flowers will typically bloom intermittently from mid-summer to frost. These plants belong to the nightshade family and all parts are extremely toxic.

Angel's Trumpet tolerates average soil, but prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun with regular moisture. It will tolerate alkaline soil, but does not do well in full shade. It does tolerate sandy soil and is winter hardy to USDA Zone 9-10. Most plantings of Angel's Trumpet are nursery plants; however, you can start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost and set plants out after that date. Plants tend to sprawl, and should be spaced about 3 feet apart or staked and supported. Deadheading flowers is not necessary and self-seeding may occur. You can also harvest seed for planting in the following spring. Container plants can be cut back and overwintered indoors in a sunny window.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Extremely susceptible to the viruses that afflict the potato family (Solanaceae). Do not grow near potatoes or tomatoes.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Blackcurrant Swirl'
  • 'Cornucopae'
'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Blackcurrant Swirl', 'Cornucopae'
Tags:
#poisonous#fragrant flowers#shrub#spreading#ornamentals#herbaceous perennials#attractive leaves#sprawling#fantz#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Blackcurrant Swirl'
  • 'Cornucopae'
'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Blackcurrant Swirl', 'Cornucopae'
Tags:
#poisonous#fragrant flowers#shrub#spreading#ornamentals#herbaceous perennials#attractive leaves#sprawling#fantz#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Datura
    Species:
    metel
    Family:
    Solanaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Texas south to Columbia
    Distribution:
    Naturalized in the Mediterranean, Africa, Turkey, Indian subcontinent.
    Edibility:
    Poisonous. Use with extreme caution.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Spiny capsule splits open irregularly when ripe to disperse its seeds. Seeds are long-lived and can remain dormant in the soil for many years.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Seven inch trumpet-shaped flowers, white, violet or yellow and tubular. Single or double, upward-facing trumpets (4 inches wide at the mouth) have a sweetly overpowering fragrance. Blossoms from mid-Summer to first frost and opens in late afternoon and on cloudy days.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Sinuate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Wavy-margined, dark green leaves (to 8 inches long) have a downy texture. Foliage emits a disagreeable odor when bruised or crushed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bats
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Hot, dry, and flushed skin, hallucinations, pupil dilation, headache, delirium, rapid and weak pulse, convulsions, and coma.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Tropane alkaloids. Contains several alkaloids, the most active of which is scopolamine.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems