Of the many plants of ethnopharmacological interest which I grow in my
yard, I am particularly fond of my Brugmansias. I have several in pots
and a few in the ground. They are perennial in my zone (7b), dying back
to the ground each winter. This one grows to about 8-9 feet tall each
summer and has very large leaves up to 18" long, and big double creamy
white flowers. The flowers are practically odorless in the day, but as
soon as the sun sets they exude a powerfully hypnotic fragrance which is
said to cause intense nightmares if you should have one planted outside
your bedroom window. All parts of this plant are poisonous, containing
tropane alkaloids which have been used by shamans for time immemorial
for divination and healing.