In this world, there are many tools one may use to direct magic. One of the most well-known of these is the wand. Of course, it is a common saying that "The wand chooses the wizard," with all wands having a degree of awareness with which they select...
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Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. They are woody trees or shrubs with pendulous flowers and have no spines on their fruit. These large blossoms, often tinged in shades of soft peach, creamy white, and golden yellow, emit a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that becomes richer and more alluring as evening approaches. This heady scent, combined with a faint, ethereal glow under moonlight, gives them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Datura, however, differs significantly from Brugmansia; it is known as a herbaceous perennial with flowers that can be either erect or nodding, rather than pendulous. Additionally, while Brugmansia produces smooth fruit, Datura is characterized by its spiny fruit. Furthermore, Brugmansia plants tend to grow as larger woody trees or shrubs compared to the typically smaller, bush-like growth habit of Datura.
Brugmansia species are amongst the most toxic ornamental plants, containing the type responsible also for the toxicity of the infamous Deadly Nightshade. All seven species are known only in or as escapes from cultivation, and no wild plants have ever been confirmed. They are therefore listed as "extinct in the wild" by the IUCN Red List, although they are popular ornamental plants and still exist in the wild outside their native range as introduced species. It is suspected that their extinction in the wild is due to the loss of animals that previously dispersed seeds, with human cultivation having ensured the genus's continued survival. In the world of fantasy, it is said that magical creatures, like the elusive seed-nibblers known as Fae Mice, might have once spread Brugmansia across enchanted forests. However, as these creatures vanished due to mythical deforestation and increased magical interference, the natural propagation of Brugmansia in the wild dwindled. Some tales even mention a catastrophic event, where an inadvertent spell release withered various magical flora, contributing to the plant's scarcity in its original habitat.
Another wand wood with healing properties, Brugmansia has a rich cultural heritage that aligns closely with its properties. Historically, indigenous cultures in the Andes have used parts of Brugmansia in traditional medicine, notably for their analgesic and hallucinogenic properties, embodying the plant's mystical healing tendencies. However, due to the smaller size of Brugmansias (much like Daturas), this wood is more commonly seen as a detail or secondary wand wood rather than as a main. While it is skilled in healing, most especially in reducing pain, it tends to seek mediators and diplomats rather than necessarily healers. Due to its high toxicity, Borrachero is strictly forbidden to use as a wand wood in Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. The enforcement of this ban is strict, with periodic government inspections of wand-making businesses to ensure compliance. One legendary incident involved a notorious smuggler who attempted to secretly sell Borrachero wands, leading to a dramatic chase through the Amazon and his eventual capture, becoming a well-known story in wand lore.
