Brugmansia aurea, also known as golden angel's trumpet, is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae that was native to Ecuador and Colombia, but is now Extinct in the Wild. Despite being declared extinct in its native range, Brugmansia aurea is a popular ornamental and is widely cultivated, like the other members of its genus.
Description
Brugmansia aurea cultivated in the Meise Botanic Garden
Brugmansia aurea is an up to 8 m tall shrub or small tree with spreading or drooping, almost smooth branches and smooth, grey bark. The leaves are glabrous or nearly glabrous.
The axillary, tubular, pendent, sulphur yellow to golden yellow, pleasantly fragrant, nectariferous flowers have 7–8 cm long, smooth pedicels. The tubular, 13–16 cm long calyx with a pubescent outer surface is divided into 2–5 lobes at the apex. The yellow, 15–18 cm long corolla bears five 5–6 cm long, recurved teeth. The stamens are 14.5 cm long.
Vegetative characteristics
Brugmansia aurea is an up to 8 m tall shrub or small tree with spreading or drooping, almost smooth branches and smooth, grey bark. The leaves are glabrous or nearly glabrous.
Generative characteristics
The axillary, tubular, pendent, sulphur yellow to golden yellow, pleasantly fragrant, nectariferous flowers have 7–8 cm long, smooth pedicels. The tubular, 13–16 cm long calyx with a pubescent outer surface is divided into 2–5 lobes at the apex. The yellow, 15–18 cm long corolla bears five 5–6 cm long, recurved teeth. The stamens are 14.5 cm long.
Taxonomy
Brugmansia aurea Lagerh. was published by Nils Gustaf Lagerheim in 1893. However, Brugmansia aurea Harrison had already been published by Harrison in 1837, making the later publication of Brugmansia aurea Lagerh. illegitimate. As Brugmansia aurea Lagerh. had been widely used, it was proposed to conserve it against Brugmansia aurea Harrison.
It is placed in the section Brugmansia sect. Brugmansia.
