SafePlants

Iochroma australe (Syn. Acnistus australis) - Blue Angel's Trumpet

Iochroma australe, often sold as Acnistus australis, is a beautiful and relatively rare shrub that will be the centerpiece of any garden! It's also known by the common names Blue Angel's Trumpet and Mini Angel's Trumpet.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant belongs to the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family.
• Acnistus arborescens produces small, orange, tomato-like fruits.

Considerations for Children

• The plant belongs to the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family.
• Acnistus arborescens produces small, orange, tomato-like fruits.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Iochroma australe (the currently accepted name)
• Synonym: Acnistus australis
• Other Names: Dunalia australis
• Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
• Genus: Iochroma or Acnistus

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Argentina and possibly Bolivia.

Morphology and Growth

• Grows into a small tree.
• Can reach about 6 feet (1.8 meters) in height.
• Acnistus arborescens has soft, cork-like bark when mature.
• Acnistus arborescens is a medium-sized shrubby tree
• Acnistus arborescens Identification - small tree with corky, fissured, beige bark - large simple leaves, rarely paired, often with wart-like galls - 1 cm white bell-shaped flowers in sessile
• Deciduous shrub that grows to about 2 meters.

Flowers and Fruit

• Produces rich lilac-blue, bell-shaped flowers resembling miniature Angel's Trumpets.
• The flowers are trumpet-shaped and "gracefully dangle from its branches."
• Acnistus arborescens produces small flowers followed by little orange tomato-like fruits.

Quirky Facts

• Some plant enthusiasts have created crosses between Acnistus and Iochroma species.
• One author notes that they have successfully overwintered Acnistus in the ground for three years in a row.
• While the text mentions "blue Brugmansia", it clarifies that this doesn't exist, making Iochroma australe the "next best thing" for those seeking blue trumpet-shaped flowers.

Related Species

• Mentioned are other species in the genus Acnistus such as: Acnistus arborescens, Acnistus cauliflorus, and Acnistus lorentzii.

Phytochemical Information

• Acnistus arborescens produces withanolides, some of which have cytotoxic and antifungal activity.
• Ceramides can be extracted from Acnistus arborescens.
• Acnistus breviflorus is also being studied for its withanolides.

Common names of Acnistus arborescens:

• Gallinero
• Hollowheart
• Wild tobacco
• Siyou

Further Resources

• The Plant List: A comprehensive list of plant names.
• International Plant Names Index.
• Catalogue of Life.
• Australian Plant Name Index.
• Index Nominum Genericorum (ING).