Brugmansia aurea / Datura aurea / Brugmansia affinis / Datura affinis – Golden Angel’s Trumpet, Datura Sanguinea Golden

Description

Brugmansia aurea, the golden angel’s trumpet, is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, endemic to Ecuador. Since March 2014, it has been listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN but before that, it was listed as Vulnerable.

A large, fast growing shrub with soft branches, large and soft furry leaves, and scentless, long, trumpet-shaped, golden yellow flowers. Originally native to high altitudes in the Andes between 2000 and 3000 m (6600 and 9800 ft.) from Colombia to Bolivia, it is a popular ornamental that adapts to a range of warm-temperate climates.

Despite being declared extinct in its native range, Brugmansia aurea is a popular ornamental and is widely cultivated, like the other members of its genus. It is sold and grown as a garden plant, described as a large evergreen subtropical shrub capable of growing to 20 ft (6.1 m) in height. The large, pendent, trumpet-shaped yellow or white blooms appear in summer and autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. The pleasant fragrance is strongest in the evening.

Several cultivars exist, notably ‘Grand Marnier’ with peach-coloured flowers. It dislikes temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F), but may be placed outside in a sheltered spot during the summer months.

All parts of the plant are poisonous.