The common name “Angel Plant” causes frequent confusion because it is applied to several distinct species, leading to misidentification. This ambiguity stems from the name’s descriptive nature, which refers to a visual characteristic, specifically the wing-like or trumpet-like shape of a plant’s parts. To accurately determine what an “Angel Plant” looks like, it is necessary to examine the visual traits of the two most common plants associated with this moniker: the Angel Wing Begonia and the Angel’s Trumpet. These two plants possess dramatically different appearances and growth habits.
Visual Characteristics of Angel Wing Begonia
The Angel Wing Begonia, a type of cane begonia, is primarily defined by its foliage, which gives the plant its popular name. The leaves are characteristically asymmetrical, resembling the folded wings of an angel, and are attached to upright, cane-like stems. These stems lend the plant a vertical, yet often leaning, growth habit, making it a popular choice for indoor cultivation.
The coloration of the leaves is often a striking deep green, frequently adorned with metallic silver spotting, speckling, or mottling across the upper surface. Many cultivars also feature a contrasting underside, which can range from a deep reddish-brown to a vibrant red hue. The leaves can be substantial in size, sometimes reaching up to 10 inches long.
The Angel Wing Begonia produces clusters of delicate, dangling flowers that emerge from the stems. These blooms typically appear in shades of pink, white, coral, or red, providing a splash of color against the patterned foliage. This plant is generally a smaller specimen, often grown as a houseplant, with an overall height that is usually limited to a few feet.
Visual Characteristics of Angel’s Trumpet
The plant known as Angel’s Trumpet belongs to the genus Brugmansia, a group of woody shrubs or small trees. These plants are substantial in size, often growing between 10 and 36 feet tall in frost-free environments. The growth habit is semi-woody with many branches, giving it a sprawling or arboreal structure.
The leaves of Brugmansia species are large, alternately arranged, and can measure 4 to 12 inches long. They tend to be soft and somewhat velvety to the touch, often having a slightly toothed or entire margin. However, the most defining feature of the Angel’s Trumpet is its massive, showy flowers.
These blooms are distinctly trumpet-shaped and hang downward, or are pendant, from the branches. Individual flowers are impressively large, reaching lengths of 6 to 20 inches, and are often intensely fragrant, particularly in the evening. The coloration includes shades of white, yellow, peach, pink, and sometimes red. All parts of the Brugmansia plant are highly toxic, containing tropane alkaloids.
Distinguishing Features for Identification
The most immediate difference between the two plants is size and structure. The Angel Wing Begonia is a relatively small houseplant with upright, cane-like stems, while the Angel’s Trumpet is a large, woody shrub or small tree, reaching towering heights.
The foliage also offers a distinct visual separation. The begonia features asymmetrical, wing-shaped leaves that are often marked with silver spots. The Brugmansia has much larger, simpler, and softer leaves that lack the begonia’s characteristic spotting.
The flowers are perhaps the most telling difference. The begonia produces small clusters of flowers that hang from the stem. The Angel’s Trumpet, however, produces huge, solitary, trumpet-shaped blooms that distinctly hang straight down.