Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Brugmansia sanguinea (Ruiz & Pav.) D.Don

Frost tender, open shrub or tree with ovate, wavy-margined leaves, and tubular, unscented, orange-red flowers with yellow veins, from spring to autumn.  To 10m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Botanically described by Ruiz & Pavon as Datura sanguinea in 1799 [Fl. Peruv. vol.2, p.15/1799] and placed in the genus Brugmansia by Persoon in 1805 [Syn. Pl. (Persoon) vol.1, p.216/1805]. Correctly named Brugmansia sanguinea by David Don in [BFG Series II. t.272].

‘A shrubby plant, requiring exactly the same treatment as the Brugmansia arborea, growing vigorously in the open air in this climate during summer, but requiring protection in winter.  It is on many accounts one of the most interesting plants that have been yet brought from South America, for which the public is indebted to Charles Crawley, Esq., who brought it with him from Guayaquil in 1833.  It was originally raised in the garden of Miss Traill, and also by Lady Gibbs, of Hayes Common near Bromley, by whom we were favoured with the specimen now represented, and the sight of a beautiful drawing of the flowers in the two conditions of colour.  In the Flora Peruviana, and the systematic work of Baron Humboldt it is fully described; from their statements and the materials we have received from Lady Gibbs, we are enabled to draw up the following statement.  This remarkable plant is a native of elevated and cold situations in the provinces of Tarma, Xauxa, Huarochesi, Canta, and Humalies, where it grows among rubbish; it is also found near the village of La Cruz, and on the banks of the river Mayo, between Almaguer and Pasto in New Grenada, where it was found by Humboldt and Bonpland, at nearly 7000 feet above the sea.  It begins to flower in June and ceases in November.  By the Peruvians it is called Floripondio encarnado and Campanillas encarnadas; by the Columbians Bovochevo.  Its stature varies from 10 to 20 feet, the stem being generally undivided and terminated by a roundish leafy head.  The flowers are either a bright yellowish orange colour, or the deep orange red of our figure; we believe they change from the former to the latter.’  [BR f.1739/1835]. 

The Gardeners Chronicle records a plant 14ft tall growing at Crom Castle in Ireland, with over 200 open flowers.  [Gard. Chron. 1856].

History at Camden Park

The first reference to this plant in the Camden Park record is a desideratum to Loddiges’ Nursery, 6th January 1845, under the name Brugmansia sanguinea var. bicolor [MP A2933-2, p.28]. It was listed in the 1857 catalogue as Brugmansia sanguinea [T.178/1857]. A single plant was presented to the Sydney Botanic Gardens by William Macarthur on 15th September 1847.  [RBGS AB].  Brugmansia sanguinea was included among desiderata in a letter to Sir William Hooker dated February 11th, 1848 but was not marked ‘arrived’ [MP A2933-1, p.165].  It was requested again of Kew on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.177] and of John Lindley, Secretary of the London Horticultural Society, on 1st February, 1849 [A2933-1, p.182a]. These later requests suggest that plants in the gardens in 1847 had been lost by early 1848.

Notes

My thanks to Alistair Hay for information on this and other Brugmansias. For further information see Hay, A., M. Gottschalk & A. Holguin (2011, in press). Huanduj — The Genus Brugmansia. Florilegium Books, Sydney.

Published Feb 27, 2010 - 02:14 PM | Last updated Jun 14, 2011 - 04:21 PM

Figured is a large lobed leaf and pendant, narrowly trumpet-shaped red flower.  Botanical Register f.1739, 1835.

Brugmansia sanguinea (Ruiz & Pav.) D.Don | BR f.1739/1835 | BHL

Family Solanaceae
Category
Region of origin

South America

Synonyms
  • Brugmansia bicolor Pers.
  • Brugmansia rosei Hort.
  • Datura sanguinea Ruiz & Pav.
  • Datura rosei Saff.
  • Datura rubella Saff.
Common Name

Red angels? trumpets

Name in the Camden Park Record

Brugmansia sanguinea

Brugmansia sanguinea var. bicolor 

Confidence level high