First report of Brugmansia suaveolens in Italy
Brugmansia suaveolens (Solanaceae) is native to South America (Eastern Brazil) and has been cultivated in many tropical and temperate regions of the world for traditional medicine and ornamental purposes. In its native range, B. suaveolens grows in the margins of forests and rivers and can colonise fields at altitudes below 1 000 m. In the EPPO region, B. suaveolens has been reported only from the Macaronesia islands (Canary, Madeira and Azores). Following field surveys in the Campania region of Italy between 2015-2019, B. suaveolens was discovered in Portici and Positano in September 2015 and August 2017, respectively. In Portici, the species was found in the Royal Park in the Bay of Naples on the foothills of Mt Vesuvius (5 individuals). In Positano, the population was located between Grotte and Laurito on the slopes of the Lattari Mt. at 122 m a.s.l. (7 individuals). In both locations, plants were flowering. The author suggests that B. suaveolens should be regarded as a casual alien in Italy.
Sources
Stinca A (2020) Brugmansia suaveolens (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Sweet (Solanaceae): an alien species new to continental Europe. BioInvasions Records 9(4), 660–669.