Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia suaveolens
Observed on the grounds of the Kitale Museum, Kitale, Rift Valley, Kenya, Africa. January 2012.
This beautiful, but highly toxic plant has been introduced to Kenya from its
native Brazil. For now it appears to be restricted to gardens, but there should
be concern that this plant could become naturalized and hence become an exotic
invasive with detrimental consequences for natural habitats and for
agricultural interests.
The large, pendulous flowers are five-lobed and are fragrant. They open at night and are pollinated by sphinx moths. Is there a sphinx moth species in Kenya capable of utilizing this flower? Seven or so Brugmansia species have been distributed through horticultural trades. In addition there may be some hybridization and selection for cultivars with a variety of flower colors.