SafePlants

Brunfelsia

The genus Brunfelsia, belonging to the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family, encompasses a variety of species including Brunfelsia americana and Brunfelsia pauciflora.

Considerations for Pets

• A study is referenced that mentions *Brunfelsia australis* and Solanum poisoning in a dog.

Scientific Classification and Nomenclature

• Genus: Brunfelsia
• Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
• Kingdom: Plantae

• For Brunfelsia americana: Brunfelsia undulata auct. non Sw.

• American Brunfelsia
• Lady of the Night
• Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (primarily associated with Brunfelsia pauciflora)
• Kiss-Me-Quick
• Queen of the Night

Distribution and Habitat

• Brunfelsia is native to South and Central America, as well as the West Indies.
• The genus is evenly divided between South America and the Antilles.
• Some species, such as Brunfelsia plowmaniana, are found in the humid and cloud forests of the Bolivian and Argentinean Andes.

Morphological Characteristics

• Brunfelsia species are typically evergreen, flowering shrubs or small trees.
• Brunfelsia americana has clusters of 2-inch white flowers held on long, slender tubes.
• Brunfelsia gigantea (Lady of the Night) has creamy-white, 2-inch flowers.
• The "Lady of the Night" Brunfelsia flowers can reach 3-5 inches long.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

• The root of "manac" (Brunfelsia uniflorus, grandiflora, hopeana) has a history of medicinal use in South American herbal medicine.
• The genus has a history of medicinal use in South America, with practices adopted by Europeans upon arrival.
• Some species of Brunfelsia have hallucinogenic or toxic properties and are important in native cultures throughout South America.

Quirky Facts

• The "Lady of the Night" (Brunfelsia) is known for its intense fragrance, which intensifies at night.
• Brunfelsia pauciflora is called the "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" plant because its flowers change color over a few days.

Ecological Role

• The genus consists of about 40 different species and is native to South and Central America and the West Indies.

Associations with People

• Brunfelsia plowmaniana was named in honor of American botanist Timothy Plowman (1944-1989), who studied neotropical plants of ethnobotanic importance.

Further Information

• A revision of the South American species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae) was written by Timothy Plowman.
• Robert Clipsham published an article (2012) on Brunfelsia australis and Solanum poisoning in a dog in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.