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Kane Jessen Dr. Ho Research Paper 5/7/12 “Devils Breath” The Solanaceae family or “Nightshade” is a family of diverse, somewhat small plant family composed of roughly 25,000 species ordered in 90 geniuses (Anderson) . This family of dicots include herbs, bushes, trees and even some vines. This family holds significant economic and agricultural importance to humans. Plants from this family are used as food sources, medicines, psychoactive chemicals and ornamental plants. Notable species include potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, chilli peppers , eggplants, petunias as well as many lesser known varieties. One lesser known genus of Solanaceae is Brugmansia. Brugmansia plants are commonly called Angels Trumpets or Devils Breath. These flowers are very attractive ornamental plants with many interesting chemical properties. Humans have utilized in these plants in one form or another for thousands of years. Brugmansia are both beautiful and toxic making them an interesting subject to write a report about. Brugmansia are tropical plants native to Northern, South America, especially Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia. There are seven closely related extant species of brugmansia that exist as well as numerous hybrids, subspecies and cultivars (Ibrugs). The genus can be split into two naturally occurring genetically distinct groups. These genetically distinct groups are Brugmansia subgroup Brugmansia, which is native to warmer climates and includes four of the seven species of Brugmansia (Ibrugs). The other Brugmansia subgroup Sphaerocarpium is native to colder weather climates and higher elevations and includes the other three(Ibrugs). These two groups do not readily hybridize. However hybrids have been created. The genus members bear many similarities to one another. They are all woody shrubs, bushes, or tree like shrubs. Brugmansia commonly reach heights of at least five to ten feet and can even grow as big as 26­35 feet depending on the species , growing conditions or variety. Brugmansia species rarely top 15 when potted(Priessel). The leaves are arranged in a an opposite arrangement. The leaves vary among individual species and at different maturation levels. The leaves can vary from “Coarsely toothed... to smooth edged” or “elliptic to oblong smooth­edged, sometimes wavy edged” (Ibrugs). The leaves also may or may not be covered in non glandular trichomes in the form of thin hairs (Ibrugs). A common characteristic is that these shrubs have many trunks that radiate out to giving its wide shape. However, they can also be found as a tree with one main stalk. Pruning can be used to manipulate a Brugmansia into being more like a shrub or tree. Although these plants are tropical their origination in colder, higher altitude varieties allow them to tolerate frosts and colder temperatures(Lockwood 275­277), especially the subsection Sphaerocarpium. In the United States Brugmansia plants do very well in USDA hardiness zones 8­10 and can also thrive in lower regions of zone 7 during the summer months with only slight reduction in size and special attention being paid to avoid frosts(Missouri Botanical Gardens). For this reason in the United States the plants are almost always potted to facilitate overwintering and avoid frosts . These plants evolved in the Andes mountains in a tropic mesic environment. It is thought to the genus evolved around the late Proterozoic and Early Paleozoic periods in conjunction with the Andes Orogeny (Lockwood 275). These plants evolved to thrive in tropical, humid areas with temperatures ranging from 70­90 degrees Fahrenheit. Brugmansia can not self fertilize encouraging genetic diversity(Lockwood 275). However, many of them can “reproduce extensively by rootsuckering”(Lockwood 275). Rootsucking causes the formation of other genetically identical vegetative clones in the close vicinity crowding out neighboring plants. Pollination in six of the seven species is achieved by nocturnal moths primarily. This is evidenced by a characteristic strong sweet smelling odor that is present from sunset until sunrise. There is one species Brugmansia Suaveolens that is pollinated by hummingbirds(Fine Gardening). The flowers compliment the hummingbirds and moths physiology,characterized by long “nodding to totally pendulous”(Preissel 11) flowers that face downward most of the time waiting for proboscises . The inflorescence of the plant is monochasial and there is one flower at the end of each peduncle. The flowers are long, tube­like in shape and can be up to 16 inches long. Flowers range in many colors and petal shape. This is the reason it is prized as an ornamental. It is this abundance of long elegant tube like flowers over a whole bush that makes it desirable to have in a garden. Brugmansia is often planted as a “focal point” plant. As mentioned before there are many cultivars (this is shorthand for culture variety and refers to a type of plant that has unique physical attributes that humans wish to preserve and are propagated with cloning methods) and new ones are continually developed. The International Brugmansia and Datura Society lists over 1,300 different cultivars. Brugmansia is easy to cultivate. The plants require large amounts of sun and tropical temperatures. It also requires large doses of nitrogen, loose soil and lots of water (In the summer potted plants may need to be watered up to twice a day.) Flowers are somewhat more difficult to produce. Although some flowers may be produced in the first growing season it is unlikely they will and they are not be as large or as numerous as in later years. Many Burgmansia will not bloom until they have reached an age of five years or more. Other factors that inhibit flowering are most often attributed to small container size, insufficient water or insufficient fertilizer (Rhodes). Comparable to this plants beauty as an ornamental is it toxic chemical composition. This is common in many members of the Solanaceae family. Many are familiar with “Mandrake, Henbane, and Deadly Nightshade”(Pubmed) or even Brugmansia’s close relative Jimsonweed. All of these plant families have high amounts of alkaloids that are toxic, or have powerfully psychoactive properties. The Brugmansia genus is no different. All parts of these plants are both toxic and psychoactive as a result of several powerful chemicals. The seeds flowers and roots of Brugmansia contain relatively high levels compared to the rest of the plant ( Marneros, Andreas, Philipp Gutmann, and Frank Uhlmann 458). The toxins in the Brugmansia family are primarily tropane alkaloids . These are secondary metabolites that are produced by the plants to deter animals from consuming them and also possibly to inhibit the growth of neighboring plants. Insects are susceptible to these toxins. However, some insects can “...sequester tropane alkaloids especially hyoscyamine, norhyoscyamnine and scopalamine, from the host plant Brugmansia suaveolens...”(Eich 157). Presumably the insects then utilize these chemicals themselves as deterrents to predators. The tropane alkaloids produced in the most significant proportions are scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine. All three of these chemicals have been used for both recreational and medical use for thousands of years, by both western and non western medicine. Scopolamine, hyoscyamine and atropine are all useful to modern medicine in correct doses of the extracted chemicals. These chemicals are mostly utilized in their synthetic or semi­synthetic derivatives. Atropine is present in many members of the nightshade family including Brugmansia. One of its primary physical effects on mammals is mydriasis or dilation of the pupils(Eich 156). For this reason it was used “... for many decades... in ophthalmological diagnostics”(Eich 156) . Arguably the compound worked too well because patients eyes were dilated longer than necessary. Presently a synthetic derivative with a shorter duration is used by eye doctors. Atropine also has been used to treat extremely low heartbeat and to treat organophosphate poisoning. Hyoscyamine also has therapeutic properties. Some of these include alleviation of gastrointestinal problems and disorders, as well as lessening some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It is currently sold under a number of pharmaceutical brand names. Scopolamine, has been effective as a bronchodilator, addiction treatment and also was a popular nausea treatment. Scopolamine is also used an an anesthetic in surgery because it does act as an anesthetic and dissociative. As stated above presently these chemicals are not used directly in modern medicine with large frequency because “Their advantage is given by the fact that they are not able to pass the blood brain barrier. Thus they act only peripherally, I.e without the central adverse side effects of their natural starting products”(Eich 156). This genus has some very powerful psychoactive chemicals associated with it that for better or worse are routinely used by indigenous peoples, recreational western use and criminal elements for committing crimes. Despite the user or purpose of consumption the effects of ingesting Brugmansia are the same. Symptoms associated with ingestion of any part of the tree are characterized by “hallucinations, especially optical and scenic. They can show motoric restlessness, overtalkativeness, convulsive sobbing and sexual excitement as well as aggressive, and auto­aggressive behaviuor.” (Marneros, Andreas, Philipp Gutmann, and Frank Uhlmann 458). The magazine Pathology described the effects of ingestion as terrifying rather than pleasurable. Indigenous people of the Andes in Colombia have utilized this plant for psychoactive, religious and spiritual purposes(Preissel) . One account from the 1800's recounts how when a Native American chief was buried and his slaves and wives were buried with him, they were given a tincture of Brugmansia to sedate and disorient them so they could be buried alive with their chief(Preissel 16). Brugmansia was also utilized by indigenous peoples for divinity rituals where they could communicate with spirits gods and ancestors. The plant was “considered a gift from the gods and accordingly was treated with great reverence”(Preissel 16). The plant finds itself in the news today as young people experiment with it for recreational purposes. There are growing number of horror stories of overdoses and adverse effects from hallucinations. Many result in hospitalizations. Some of these events have been extensively documented. The most publicized event involved “An 18 year old male high school student with positive social mobility and social adaption. No prior mental disorders could be found in his or his families history”(Marneros, Andreas, Philipp Gutmann, and Frank Uhlmann 459). The young man made “...a cup tea comprised of boiling two flowers of Angels Trumpet.” The young man was unobserved for approximately two hours as the chemicals began to take effect. He then went into a bathroom where he attempted to amputate his tongue and another part of his body with garden shears. After 20 minutes in the bathroom he emerged covered in blood “Immediately after the amputations he was very anxious, but at the same time tried to calm down his mother and grandmother by saying “don't worry, don't worry it will be alright, it will be alright.”” (Marneros, Andreas, Philipp Gutmann, and Frank Uhlmann 459) This is regarded as one of the most dramatic consequence of Brugmansia ingestion. There have been many reports of people being hospitalized for psychosis, related injuries from being under the influence of the plant and physical overdose. The plant is indeed highly toxic; it is reported that as much as .3 gram of the plan can cause toxicity. Extracted compounds from Brugmansia have a much higher toxicity. A terrifying and intriguing phenomenon has also become all too common in the regions to where Brugmansia is native specifically, Columbia. Scopolamine is extracted into its powdered form through chemical processes. The effect of pure scopolamine in high doses results in an anesthetized state that leaves the victim still coherent and functioning while under complete control of suggestion by others. The victim regains consciousness with no memory of what happened while under the influence of this drug. Victims are generally drugged orally with scopolamine in food or drink. After the symptoms take affect victims are often taken advantage of,robbed or raped. Individual reports are hard to validate or find however their prevalence is admitted by many credible sources. One study done in Columbia explains that as many one in five Bogota emergency room poisonings are the result of scopolamine. One Spanish report can be quoted saying “intoxications with delictive intention are frequent in emergency room”(Uribe, Manuel G., Claudia L. Moreno, Adrianna S. Zamora, and Pilar J. Acosta 197). This disturbing trend is increasing with frequency. Brugmansia is a fascinating genus. It is beautiful, deadly and therapeutic. Few plants can boast these characteristics especially at such a large magnitudes. It has been said that “The Burgmansia might have long since been eradicated if it weren't for the fact that so many people are attracted by their ornamental value”(Preissel 19). It is indeed a strange combination of danger and beauty. Its enduring relationship with humans should also be noted, as their stories are intertwined. This plant is truly fascinating, beautiful and terrifying. Works Cited Anderson, Gregory J.; Bernardello, Gabriel. "Solanaceae." Plant Sciences. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May\6,2012).http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2­408000280.
html "Browse Plants, Attracts Hummingbirds." Finegardening.com Fine Gardening. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://www.finegardening.com/PlantGuide/PlantFinder.aspx?294=64>. "Brugmansia Suaveolens." Brugmansia Suaveolens. Missouri Botanical Garden. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens­gardening/your­
garden/plant­finder/plant­details/kc/a491/brugmansia­suaveolens.aspx>. Eich, Eckart. Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae ­ Secondary Metabolites: Biosynthesis, Chemotaxanomy, Biological and Economic Significance. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 2008. Google Books. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://books.google.com/books?
id=ZpYtUED_DSsC>. Hayman, John. "Pathology ­ Journal of the RCPA." Diss. Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, 1985. Abstract. Datura­ Poisoning Angel's Trumpets. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://journals.lww.com/pathologyrcpa/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=1985>. "IBrugs.com Plants Brugmansia." IBrugs.com Plants Brugmansia. Web. 06 May 2012. <http://ibrugs.com/Plants/Brugmansia.aspx>. Lockwood, Tom E. "Generic Recognition of Brugmansia." Biodiversity.org. Botanical Museum Leaflets, Harvard University, 5 Jan. 2011. Web. 1 May 2012. <http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/pdf3/005346200031872.pdf>. Marneros, Andreas, Philipp Gutmann, and Frank Uhlmann. "Self­amputation of Penis and Tongue after Use of Angel’s Trumpet." European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience 256.7 (2006): 458­59. Print. Preissel, Ulrike. Brugmansia and Datura: Angel's Trumpets and Thorn Apples. Ontario: Firefly, 2002. Print. Rhoades, Heather. "Getting Your Brugmansia To Bloom and Produce Blossoms." Getting Your Brugmansia To Bloom and Produce Blossoms. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/exotic/getting­your­brugmansia­to­bloom­and­produce­blos
soms.htm>. "The Solanaceae: Foods and Poisons." Diss. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. Abstract. Pubmed.gov. June­July 2006. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17153152>. Uribe, Manuel G., Claudia L. Moreno, Adrianna S. Zamora, and Pilar J. Acosta. "Perfil Epidemiologio De La Intoxiacion Con Burundaga En La Clinica Uride Cualla C.A. De Bogata D.C." Perfil Epidemiologio De La Intoxiacion Con Burundaga En La Clinica U
Cualla C.A. De Bogata D.C. (2006): 197­201. Print. Uride