''Brunfelsia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

s belonging to subfamily

Petunioideae Petunioideae is a subfamily of the flowering plant family Solanaceae, the nightshades. It contains thirteen genera, as follows:Armando T. Hunziker: The Genera of Solanaceae. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell, Liechtenstein 2001. *'' Benthamie ...

of the nightshade family Solanaceae. The 50 or so species have been grouped into the three sections: ''Brunfelsia'' (circa 22 species), ''Franciscea'' (circa 18 species) and ''Guianenses'' (circa 6 species), which differ significantly in both distribution and characteristics, although molecular data have revealed that only two sections are natural ( monophyletic), namely the Caribbean section ''Brunfelsia'' and a common section for all South American species.Filipowicz, N. and S. S. Renner. 2012
''Brunfelsia'' (Solanaceae): A genus evenly divided between South America and radiations on Cuba and other Antillean Islands.
''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' 64 1-11.

Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the ...

named the genus for the early German herbalist

Otto Brunfels Otto Brunfels (also known as Brunsfels or Braunfels) (believed to be born in 1488 – 23 November 1534) was a German theologian and botanist. Carl von Linné listed him among the "Fathers of Botany". Life After studying theology and philosophy ...

(1488–1534). Otto Brunfels 2

Common names for the genus include raintree, yesterday-today-tomorrow and lady of the night.''Brunfelsia''.
USDA PLANTS. ''Brunfelsia'' spp. are

neotropical The Neotropical realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms constituting Earth's land surface. Physically, it includes the tropical terrestrial ecoregions of the Americas and the entire South American temperate zone. Definition In bioge ...

shrubs, small trees and (rarely) lianas. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, and usually oval in shape. The large flowers have salverform corollas with five broad lobes and narrow tubes. Typical habitat for wild species is light woodland and thickets.

Taxonomy

The genus was described by French botanist and churchman Charles Plumier ex L. and published in '' Species Plantarum'' 1: 191 in the year 1753. The type species is ''Brunfelsia americana''.

Description

Shrubs or small trees, without thorns. Leaves simple, entire and petiolate (stalked). Inflorescences in subterminal fascicles or flowers borne singly in leaf axils, often showy and sometimes also night-scented,

zygomorphic Floral symmetry describes whether, and how, a flower, in particular its perianth, can be divided into two or more identical or mirror-image parts. Uncommonly, flowers may have no axis of symmetry at all, typically because their parts are spirall ...

; calyx campanulate, 5-lobed to approximately half its length; corolla hypocrateriform (having

salver A salver is a flat heavy tray of silver, other metal or glass used for carrying or serving glasses, cups, and dishes at a table, or for the presenting of a letter or card by a servant. In a royal or noble household the fear of poisoning led ...

-shaped limb above narrow tube), 5-lobed; stamens 4, anthers oblong or elliptical, included and dehiscing longitudinally; ovary bilocular. Fruit a corky berry.

Ornamental use

Species in cultivation include ''

Brunfelsia americana ''Brunfelsia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to subfamily Petunioideae of the nightshade family Solanaceae. The 50 or so species have been grouped into the three sections: ''Brunfelsia'' (circa 22 species), ''Franciscea'' (circa 18 sp ...

'' and '' Brunfelsia pauciflora''. '' Brunfelsia australis'' is being actively promoted by growers for its tricolored blooms and drought resistance. As its specific name suggests, ''B. australis'' is the ''Brunfelsia'' species with the most southerly distribution, the plant occurring as far south as the Argentinian province of

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South ...

Chemistry and Toxicity

Like many other species belonging to the Solanaceae, some (possibly all) members of this genus contain toxic and medicinal

alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...

s. These are known to be poisonous to domestic animals such as cats, dogs, and horses due to their brunfelsamidine content.''Brunfelsia''.
Toxic and Nontoxic Plants. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Toxicity in dogs manifests with strychnine-like gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiac symptoms. The roots of certain ''Brunfelsia'' species have been designated as containing compounds hazardous to human health according to a compendium published in 2012 by the

European Food Safety Authority The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the agency of the European Union (EU) that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain. EFSA was established in February 2002, ...

. These compounds include

indole alkaloid Indole alkaloids are a class of alkaloids containing a structural moiety of indole; many indole alkaloids also include isoprene groups and are thus called terpene indole or secologanin tryptamine alkaloids. Containing more than 4100 known diffe ...

s of the

β-carboline β-Carboline (9''H''-Pyridine, pyrido ,4-''b''ndole) represents the basic chemical structure for more than one hundred alkaloids and synthetic compounds. The effects of these substances depend on their respective substituent. Natural β-carbo ...

group such as

harmine Harmine is a beta-carboline and a harmala alkaloid. It occurs in a number of different plants, most notably the Syrian rue and ''Banisteriopsis caapi''. Harmine reversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme which breaks down monoamin ...

tetrahydroharmine Tetrahydroharmine (THH) is a fluorescent indole alkaloid that occurs in the tropical liana species '' Banisteriopsis caapi''. THH, like other harmala alkaloids in ''B. caapi'', namely harmaline and harmine, is a reversible inhibitor of monoam ...

harmaline Harmaline is a fluorescent indole alkaloid from the group of harmala alkaloids and beta-carbolines. It is the partly hydrogenated form of harmine. Occurrence in nature Various plants contain harmaline including ''Peganum harmala'' (Syrian rue) ...

, manacine, manaceine, and also derivatives of

N,N-dimethyltryptamine ''N'',''N''-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT or ''N'',''N''-DMT, SPL026) is a substituted tryptamine that occurs in many plants and animals, including human beings, and which is both a derivative and a structural analog of tryptamine. It is used as ...

and

amidines Amidines are organic compounds with the functional group RC(NR)NR2, where the R groups can be the same or different. They are the imine derivatives of amides (RC(O)NR2). The simplest amidine is formamidine, HC(=NH)NH2. Examples of amidines includ ...

such as pyrrole 3-carboximidamide. According to early accounts in the literature, symptoms of poisoning by the medicinal species ''B. grandiflora'' include

dizziness Dizziness is an imprecise term that can refer to a sense of disorientation in space, vertigo, or lightheadedness. It can also refer to disequilibrium or a non-specific feeling, such as giddiness or foolishness. Dizziness is a common medical c ...

exhaustion Fatigue describes a state of tiredness that does not resolve with rest or sleep. In general usage, fatigue is synonymous with extreme tiredness or exhaustion that normally follows prolonged physical or mental activity. When it does not resolve ...

nausea Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. While not painful, it can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the ...

hypersalivation Hypersalivation, or ptyalism, also known as sialorrhea or hypersialosis is the excessive production of saliva. It has also been defined as increased amount of saliva in the mouth, which may also be caused by decreased clearance of saliva.Medscape ...

, muscle weakness,

lethargy Lethargy is a state of tiredness, sleepiness, weariness, fatigue, sluggishness or lack of energy. It can be accompanied by depression, decreased motivation, or apathy. Lethargy can be a normal response to inadequate sleep, overexertion, overwo ...

facial nerve paralysis Facial nerve paralysis is a common problem that involves the paralysis of any structures innervated by the facial nerve. The pathway of the facial nerve is long and relatively convoluted, so there are a number of causes that may result in facial ...

, mouth pains, swollen tongue,

numbness Hypoesthesia or numbness is a common side effect of various medical conditions that manifests as a reduced sense of touch or sensation, or a partial loss of sensitivity to sensory stimuli. In everyday speech this is generally referred to as num ...

in the extremities,

paraesthesia Paresthesia is an abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause. Paresthesia may be transient or chronic, and may have any of dozens of possible underlying causes. Paresthesias ar ...

s (including tingling and feelings of unbearable coldness) tremors, and blurred vision. At higher does, there are reports of delirium, sustained

mental confusion In medicine, confusion is the quality or state of being bewildered or unclear. The term "acute mental confusion"

, and possible

blindness Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...

. Modern reports have compared the experience to the effects of an overdose of

nicotine Nicotine is a natural product, naturally produced alkaloid in the nightshade family of plants (most predominantly in tobacco and ''Duboisia hopwoodii'') and is widely used recreational drug use, recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic. As ...

upon non-smokers.http://entheology.com/plants/brunfelsia-grandiflora-brunfelsia/ Retrieved at 9.52 on 26/8/20.

Species

Species include:Species Records of ''Brunfelsia''.
Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). *''

'' – American brunfelsia, lady-of-the-night *'' Brunfelsia australis'' – Jasmine of

Paraguay Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...

*'' Brunfelsia chiricaspi'' – ''chiricaspi'' *'' Brunfelsia densifolia'' – Serpentine Hill raintree *'' Brunfelsia grandiflora'' – largeflower brunfelsia, ''chiricsanango'' *'' Brunfelsia jamaicensis'' *'' Brunfelsia lactea'' – vega blanca *'' Brunfelsia latifolia'' *'' Brunfelsia membranacea'' *'' Brunfelsia nitida'' – Cuban raintree *'' Brunfelsia pauciflora'' *'' Brunfelsia plowmaniana'' *'' Brunfelsia portoricensis'' – Puerto Rican raintree *'' Brunfelsia splendida'' *'' Brunfelsia uniflora'' – ''manacá''

Legal status

United States

Louisiana

Except for ornamental purposes, growing, selling or possessing ''Brunfelsia'' spp. is prohibited by

Louisiana State Act 159 Signed into law June 28, 2005, and effective August 8, 2005, Louisiana State Act No 159 found in, Louisiana RS 40:989.1, outlawed the cultivation, possession or sale of 40 named plants defined as hallucinogenic in the state of Louisiana, US. House ...

Gallery

File:Brunfelsia americana1C2000.jpg, ''

'' File:Starr 060325-6728 Brunfelsia australis.jpg, '' Brunfelsia australis'' : age-related colour-change of flower. File:Starr 070830-8232 Brunfelsia australis.jpg, '' Brunfelsia australis'' : ripening coriaceous berry, showing accrescent calyx. File:Brunfelsia uniflora.jpg, '' Brunfelsia uniflora'' : mid-shot of plant in flower. File:Brunfelsia undulata1MTFL.jpg, '' Brunfelsia undulata'' : foliage and attractive flowers with long corolla tubes and characteristic undulate corolla lobe margins. File:Brunfelsia grandiflora 1.jpg, '' Brunfelsia grandiflora'' : flowering branch seen in profile, showing buds and single bloom. File:Brunfelsia plowmaniana type specimen.jpg, '' Brunfelsia plowmaniana'' : type specimen of ''Brunfelsia'' species named in honour of ''Brunfelsia'' expert the late Dr. Timothy Plowman.