Datura Sanguinea is a flowering plant native to South America, with bright red flowers and a long history of use in traditional medicine and spiritual practices. Its scientific name is derived from two Latin words: Datura, meaning "thorn apple," and Sanguinea, meaning "bloody." The pronunciation of the word is dah-TOO-rah san-GWIN-ay-na, with stress on the second syllable of each word. The IPA phonetic transcription for the word would be /dəˈtʊərə sæŋˈɡwɪnɪə/.
Datura sanguinea is a flowering plant species belonging to the Solanaceae family, commonly known as the red thorn-apple or the metel. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that typically grows up to 1-2 meters in height. Native to Central and South America, particularly in the regions of Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, Datura sanguinea is known for its beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers.
The leaves of Datura sanguinea are simple, alternating, and have a dark green color with irregularly toothed edges. The distinctive flowers are large and bell-shaped, measuring about 10-15 cm in length, and can vary in color from bright red to pink or purple. It blooms during the warmer months of the year, attracting pollinators like moths and bees with its fragrant scent.
However, it is vital to note that Datura sanguinea contains potent alkaloids, such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, which possess psychoactive and toxic properties. The consumption or ingestion of any part of this plant can lead to severe and sometimes fatal toxicity. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution and avoid any interaction or ingestion of this plant if not well-educated on its effects.
In summary, Datura sanguinea is a flowering plant species known for its striking trumpet-shaped flowers. However, it is important to approach this plant with caution due to its potential toxicity, which makes it unsuitable for inexperienced handlers or those unaware of its potential risks.
The word "Datura" is derived from the Sanskrit word "dhatura", which refers to a thorny plant. It entered English through Latin, where it was called "datura" as well. The specific epithet "sanguinea" comes from the Latin word "sanguineus", meaning "bloody" or "blood-red", likely based on the deep red flowers of the plant. Therefore, the etymology of "Datura Sanguinea" suggests a connection to its thorny nature and the color of its flowers.