Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia): Beautiful but Dangerous

You’ve probably seen those huge, hanging trumpet flowers and thought they look magical. Angel's trumpet (genus Brugmansia) is stunning, but every part of the plant is toxic. The same chemicals that cause strong effects in small doses can lead to severe poisoning if eaten or handled carelessly.

How to spot and identify

Angel's trumpet is a small tree or large shrub with big, pendulous, trumpet-shaped flowers that hang down. Flowers come in white, yellow, pink, or orange and can be 6–20 inches long. Leaves are large and soft; seed pods are long and smooth, unlike Datura (a related plant) whose pods are spiky and round. If you see a plant with long hanging trumpets, treat it as potentially dangerous.

Why it’s toxic and what it does

The plant contains tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine. These affect the nervous system and can cause anticholinergic syndrome. Early signs include dry mouth, dilated pupils, blurry vision, flushed skin, fast heartbeat, and urinary trouble. More serious effects are confusion, hallucinations, severe agitation, seizures, coma, and even death. Effects can start within 30 minutes to a few hours after exposure and are unpredictable—age, weight, and how the plant was prepared all matter.

People sometimes hear stories about historical or ritual uses of angel's trumpet. Yes, some cultures used it for vision work, but doses were uncontrolled and outcomes risky. This plant is not safe for self-medication or recreation.

If someone is poisoned

Act fast. If you suspect someone ate or chewed any part of angel's trumpet, call your local poison control center or emergency services right away. Remove any plant material from the mouth and rinse with water. Do not try to treat severe symptoms at home—do not induce vomiting unless advised by a poison expert. In the hospital, doctors can provide supportive care and, if appropriate, specific antidotes like physostigmine under close monitoring.

If a child or pet was exposed, bring a sample or a photo of the plant to the emergency department. That helps doctors identify the toxin and speed treatment.

For minor skin contact, wash the area and avoid touching your face or eyes until you’ve thoroughly cleaned. If eye contact occurs, flush the eye with water and seek medical advice.

For gardeners who love the look but not the risk: wear gloves and long sleeves when pruning, keep the plant fenced or out of reach of kids and pets, label it clearly, and never compost kitchen scraps that might have been contaminated with plant parts. Don’t burn trimmings—ash can still be toxic.

Angel's trumpet offers dramatic blooms, but its danger is real and unpredictable. If you keep one, respect it. If someone is exposed, get professional help quickly.