BRUGMANSIA AUREA Meaning and
Definition
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Brugmansia aurea, commonly known as golden angel's trumpet, is a flowering plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. It is a species native to the Andes region of South America, particularly found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Golden angel's trumpet is a perennial shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters). It is distinguished by its large, trumpet-shaped flowers that hang vertically, also known as pendulous flowers. These flowers can measure up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) in length and come in a striking golden-yellow color, giving the plant its common name. The flowers emit a strong and pleasant fragrance, especially during the evening hours, which also attracts pollinators like moths and bats.
The leaves of Brugmansia aurea are dark green and large, often reaching 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) in length. The plant produces fruit in the form of woody capsules that contain numerous small seeds.
While prized for its beauty and fragrance, it's important to note that all parts of Brugmansia aurea are toxic. The aerial parts, especially the flowers and seeds, contain potent alkaloids, including scopolamine and atropine, which can cause hallucinations and other severe health effects if ingested. Therefore, it is essential to handle this plant with caution and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Etymology of BRUGMANSIA AUREA
The etymology of the word "brugmansia aurea" can be broken down as follows:
1. Brugmansia: The genus name "Brugmansia" is derived from the surname of an 18th-century Dutch botanist, Sebald Justinus Brugmans. He extensively studied plant taxonomy and taxonomy of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), to which "brugmansia" belongs.
2. Aurea: The species name "aurea" is a Latin word derived from "aureus", meaning "golden" or "gilded". It refers to the golden or yellow-colored flowers that this species of brugmansia possesses.
Together, "brugmansia aurea" translates to "golden brugmansia" or "gilded brugmansia", indicating the color of the flowers in this particular species of the plant.
