Plant Profile: Datura wrightii

The Angel Trumpet belongs to the nightshade family, which also includes potatoes and tomatoes. This plant is indigenous to the southwestern United States and Mexico, thriving in open or disturbed areas, particularly along roadsides where the soil is well-drained and sandy. Due to its ability to withstand drought, it is often used as an ornamental plant, especially in xeriscaping. The roots of the Angel Trumpet are notably large, thick, and tuberous.

Its striking, trumpet-shaped white flowers bloom in the evening and typically fade by noon, attracting moths for pollination. The plant exhibits a sprawling growth habit, reaching widths of up to 6 feet and heights between 2 to 5 feet. In certain regions of the western United States, it is regarded as a weed.