PDEA warns public of ill effects of ‘Trompeta’, ‘Talampunay’ plants

By Chito Chavez  The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has warned of the ill effects of the Brugmansia and Datura plants, which are now being tried by recreational users in the country. Brugmansia and Datura are genera of flowering plants in the Solanaceae family commonly known as Angel’s Trumpet and Devil’s Trumpet plants, respectively, due to their large trumpet-shaped flowers. In terms of morphological identification, their main difference is that while Datura plant’s flowers are erect, Brugmansia flowers are pendulous or pointed down. As all other species in the Solanaceae family Brugmansia and Datura plants equally contain extremely toxic tropane alakaloids like scopolamine (hyoscine), hyoscyamine and atropine. PDEA noted these alkaloids are reported to induce total delirium, dreadful and realistic hallucinations even when consumed at fairly small amount. “In fact, these two plant genera are among the top lists of most dangerous plants in the country. Here in the Philippines, Brugmansia is locally known as Trompeta while Datura is referred to as Talampunay and Kachubong in Tagalog and Visayan areas, Both are endemic in the country but are commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes,’’ PDEA said in a statement. However, PDEA noted these plant species pose a threat which needs to be taken seriously because local reports of recreational usages of the said plants among Filipinos are increasingly observed in various parts of the country. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino has warned the public of the hazardous effects of these plants when consumed and has appealed to report any potential abuse to help our lawmakers to develop future drug policies. PDEA noted “the said plant-based narcotic substances including their toxic alkaloids are still not illegal in the country as well as internationally’’.