Datura

Datura is a toxic herbaceous plant, found mainly in fields, that belongs to the Solanaceae family. Its seeds, the alkaloids, which are natural plant substances, are nevertheless used in pharmacology for their therapeutic properties. Datura is recognizable by its long mauve or white trumpet-shaped flowers. Datura comes to us from South America and was used during shamanic rituals by the Aztec people, who entered a trance thanks to the hallucinogenic properties of datura. Datura, which loves heat, thrives in pots and planters, but also in flower beds.

The bad reputation of datura

Because of its toxic powers, datura is not well liked and a bad reputation truly clings to it. Despite this, datura has earned its place of choice in the world of perfumery. With tonalities that are both fresh and powerful, datura delights noses. Its scent is deliciously exhilarating, sometimes even heady. Datura flowers are the stuff of dreams, which is why they have been nicknamed “angel’s trumpets.” After many studies and controversies, datura is currently sold as an ornamental plant, and continues to attract perfumers.

Datura and its olfactory pairing

Datura is part of great fragrances. When one thinks of datura, one immediately thinks of the perfume created by Serge Lutens, Datura Noir. Here, the composition is built around datura. To evoke this flower, the famous perfumer imagined an opulent nectar with narcotic effluvia. Within this composition, the datura flower appears both imposing and impertinent, yet offers a rich and original essence. Datura flower can also be found in many floral perfumes such as Love Fills, l’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci. Here, datura offers all its splendor as a top note. Also present in Poème by Lancôme, an orange-tinged floral-tuberose, datura is positioned as a heart note alongside orange blossom, mimosa, jonquil and rose. Datura can also be found within woody or chypre fragrances, such as in Ricci Ricci Reflets Mystérieux by Nina Ricci, or in another floral chypre such as Mon Paris by Yves Saint Laurent, where datura sits as a heart note, alongside peony and jasmine. Finally, one will naturally discover datura flower at the heart of oriental perfumes such as in Black XS l’Aphrodisiaque pour Elle by Paco Rabanne. Here, datura flower is positioned as a heart note alongside rose and peach.

Even though datura is considered a “bad plant” because it is toxic, it has delighted many perfumers. Its scents are both sweet and strong, and datura lies at the heart of very beautiful fragrances.