Datura metel
Common Name(s):
- 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'
- 'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Blackcurrant Swirl', 'Cornucopae'
- Tags:

















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
- 'Aurea'
- 'Blackcurrant Swirl'
- 'Cornucopae'
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Blackcurrant Swirl', 'Cornucopae'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Nighttime Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bats
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
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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