angel's trumpet
angel's trumpet Lexical Profile
• noun
Any of several tropical South American shrubs or small trees of the genus Brugmansia, cultivated as ornamental plants for their large, pendulous, famously fragrant, and highly poisonous trumpet-shaped flowers.
"The gardener carefully pruned the angel's trumpet in the courtyard, fully aware that all parts of the striking plant are highly toxic if ingested."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with closely related plants of the genus Datura (commonly known as devil's trumpets), which have erect rather than pendulous flowers; both genera are dangerously toxic due to high levels of tropane alkaloids.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name is a botanical metaphor coined in the 19th century, referring to the large, dramatically pendulous, trumpet-like shape of its flowers, evoking imagery of instruments played by heavenly angels.