A crucial breakthrough in botany has solved a mystery of more than two decades: the origin of a 20-meter-tall Andean tree has finally been unveiled. This unique tree, now known as Daturodendron absconditum, stands as a new member of the Solanaceae family, the same family to which common crops like the potato, tomato, and eggplant belong.
The discovery was not accidental. The first specimens of this tree were found in 2004 near Bucaramanga, Colombia. However, the complete identification required years of research, including analysis in herbaria and genetic studies to correctly place it in the evolutionary tree.
The name of the tree is revealing: Daturodendron alludes to its resemblance to Datura and its tree-like structure, while absconditum means ‘hidden’, reflecting how it went unnoticed despite its large size. Sometimes, nature hides its secrets in colossal forms.
An international team of researchers, including scientists from Colombia, Spain, Peru, and other countries, has been key in this discovery. José Luis Fernández Alonso, from the Royal Botanical Garden of CSIC, was one of the first to collect samples in Colombia.
Unlike its relatives like Datura and Brugmansia, Daturodendron absconditum has a unique trunk and can reach impressive heights with large, intact leaves.
Andean Tree
The floral and fruit characteristics are also distinctive. Its flowers are upright with hard corollas and seeds of rounded or kidney shapes, clearly differentiating it from Datura and Trompettia. These details are crucial in botany.
The study was based on a combination of morphology, metabolomics, and phylotranscriptomics, examining genes from 45 species to determine its place in the genealogical tree. The result: Daturodendron is considered the sister group to the rest of the Datureae.
This connection highlights the rich diversity of the Solanaceae, a family that includes both daily consumption plants and toxic and ornamental species. This new tree produces tropane alkaloids like scopolamine and hyoscyamine, suggesting a natural defensive system.
Despite the relationship, it is not edible. The compounds it contains are potent and can be dangerous. The advice is clear: avoid experimenting with these plants.
Endemic to the Andes of Colombia and Peru, it is found in humid montane forests between 1345 and 2100 meters of altitude. The fragmentation of its habitat, due to human factors, places it in a vulnerable position.
The Royal Botanical Garden of CSIC suggests it could be classified as ‘Vulnerable’ or ‘Endangered’. Currently, the category is ‘Data Deficient’, but the risk is evident.
This discovery is not intended to transform agriculture, but its importance lies in understanding the evolution of the Solanaceae and protecting cloud forests, vital for biodiversity.
