The names Datura and Brugmansia is often used interchangably. Both plants contain the extremely dangerous tropane alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. The flowers are extraordinarily beautiful and often have a very powerful, lily-like fragrance. The main difference between datura and brugmansia is that datura is an annual and the flowers face up; brugmansia is a perennial bush or tree and the flowers hang down (pictured left).

Daturas can be grown in in the grown in tropical, warm areas and also in containers and wintered indoors in colder areas. They are bushes and grow up to 30 feet. Typically, they will average about 6-10 feet outside. If you grow them outside, add humus to soil for stronger, better blooming plants. If grown in containers, add extra perlite to potting soil for better drainage. They like morning sun and afternoon shade and a lot of water. However, they can't be grown in standing water. Fertilize them weekly to keep them in bloom regardless of whether you grow them in containers or in the ground.

One of the most perculiar traits of these plants is the hallucinations and other consciousness-altering effects they cause. Intoxication may last several days. People ingesting this plant can become immersed in interpolating dream states, which involves atlking to people others can't see, as well as out-of-body experiences. Datura has been used historically around the world in ritual settings, including India, North America, and possibly Europe.