It is one of the 10 most poisonous plants in German gardens - the angel's trumpet. At weekly markets and in flower shops, the decorative flowering plant with the characteristic long, mostly cream-colored calyxes is sold as a container plant for the garden, terrace and balcony. But most flower lovers do not even know about the danger posed by the plant.
origin
Origin and characteristics: How to recognize the angel's trumpet
Originally from South America (Peru and Chile), the angel's trumpet (lat. Brugmansia, Brugmansia, also Datura suaveolens or stramonium) belongs to the nightshade family and can grow up to 5 m high as a shrub or tree.
features
Its 10 - 30 cm long, trumpet-shaped calyxes come in various colors from white and cream to pink and orange to bright red. They open at dusk, close again in the morning and give off an intense smell. After flowering, the outer petals tend to fall off, revealing the berries of the plant. Its strikingly large, alternately arranged leaves are ovate and tapering, have a wavy margin, and may be hairy or glabrous. Brugmansia bloom from July to October, and even longer if the temperatures are favourable. They love it in the sun and grow outside the garden e.g. on roadsides and sometimes even on garbage dumps.
Surname
Of course, the common name angel's trumpet refers to the shape of the flower and does not give any indication that it is poisonous. But there are other popular names such as thorn apple, devil's herb or poison apple. The Celts are said to coat their arrowheads with the poisonous sap of Datura, and the plant was often planted in gardens to ward off moles.
toxicity
An ornamental plant that has it all: how poisonous is the angel's trumpet?
All parts of the nightshade plant are highly poisonous, but especially the roots and seeds. The alkaloids it contains, such as scopolamine (up to 80%), hyoscyamine and atropine, which were chemically isolated from the plant at the beginning of the 19th century, have a strong effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, dilate the blood vessels, accelerate the heartbeat and influence the circulatory system .
toxins
Consumption can therefore be life-threatening, and even the smell is said to have led to symptoms of poisoning with narcotic states in individual cases, accompanied by headache, dry mouth, swollen tongue, nausea and vomiting. Deaths due to unrecognized atropine poisoning from these and other alkaloid-containing plants have also been documented. The plant, which is even assigned to intoxicants, should therefore not be touched if possible, in order to avoid unwanted absorption of plant secretions through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
Tip: Information on this and other poisonous plants is also available from the information center against poisoning in Bonn(at http://www.gizbonn.de/272.0.html)
risk of poisoning
Caution: Danger of poisoning, especially for children, young people and pets!
Due to the alkaloids it contains, the Brugmansia poses a high risk of poisoning. Small children who like to put something in their mouth, pets who unsuspectingly nibble on the plant, or sick, old and weak people who are not aware of the toxicity of the plant are particularly at risk. In addition, cases are known in which young people wanted to test the hallucinogenic effects of the plants as a drug - with serious consequences. In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, it is therefore advisable to either do without the plant completely or at least to take all necessary protective measures.
Tip: Regardless of whether you have angel trumpet in the garden, you should definitely inform those closest to you about the danger.
symptoms of poisoning
Recognizing poisoning symptoms and reacting appropriately
The symptoms caused by the angel's trumpet are well documented in relevant literature and can be caused by even the smallest amounts. These include a strong state of restlessness immediately after contact or consumption, confusion as well as vomiting and diarrhea, flushing and hot skin, dry mucous membranes, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness, dilation of the pupils and blurred vision, tachycardia and high pulse as well as seizures. In addition, hallucinations can occur, and a strong sedating or paralyzing effect up to coma-like states is possible. The course can be fatal in the absence of medical care.
Notice: An important measure after ingesting poisonous plants - spit it out immediately and absorb enough liquid.
First aid
In the event of poisoning of any kind, quick action is required! If the above-mentioned or other symptoms occur after contact with the plant (or even after eating parts of the plant), please go to the nearest clinic immediately or call the emergency doctor and be sure to state the contact with the plant. The five W-questions are helpful here: who, what, when, how, how much? If parts of the plant are still available, they can also be carefully packed and taken away so that they can be identified more precisely.
Tip: If the symptoms are unclear and you are unsure about contact with poisonous plants, a call to the local poison control center, which can be reached 24 hours a day for acute emergencies, can save your life.
alternative plants
Better to switch to other ornamental plants
Due to the great potential risks that the angel's trumpet poses, experts advise against planting it in the home garden or on the balcony (or even bringing it into your own four walls). There are enough attractive alternatives among the flowering plants that are not poisonous. It is best to seek advice from a garden specialist to be on the safe side.
Tip: If you absolutely do not want to do without the graceful, frost-sensitive plant in your own garden, you should at least cultivate it well protected and out of the immediate reach of children, young people, neighbors and animals. When caring for them, it is highly recommended to wear protective gloves and not to smell the flowers too intensively.
Sources:
http://www.gizbonn.de/86.0.html