Brugmansia Pers. of the Nightshade Family
Aka Brugmansia sanguinea
Location: South America, Particularly Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
This Brugmansia is a perennial that can grow to reach about 16 feet tall. There is a tough trunk of wood and bushy branching which sprout grayish, serrated leaves and a blood-red and yellowish-green, dropping, trumpet-shaped nighshade. The actual trumpet flower only emits scents in the day time.
The Blood-Red Angel’s Trumpet is a really exotic looking nightshade. Many people would likely be attracted to it simply for its beauty, but nervous of even touching it due to its poisonous-looking colors. Indeed, it is hallucinogenic and has been well-known in Ecuador and Peru for use by shamans. It was very commonly used in the pre-Colombian era “Cult of the Sun.” It is still used as a hallucinogen by shaman in the region to this day!
