Tree Tobacco
Nicotiana glauca
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
Nicotiana glauca is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
Rocks, walls and roadsides in the Mediterranean.
S. America - S. Bolivia to N. Argentina. Naturalized in the Mediterranean.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The leaves have been made into a drink. Some care should be exercised here. The tea will contain nicotine, and this can be toxic to the body. There is some evidence that Nicotiana glauca may have led to accidental poisoning when it was mistaken for other plants. We would recommend that ingestion is not considered. Please see the warning in Known Hazards.
Medicine
Rating: 2
A poultice of the leaves can be applied to cuts, bruises, swellings and other wounds. The plant has been used as a poultice for removing the pus from scrofulous sores or boils. A poultice of the leaves has been applied to inflamed throat glands. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating: 3
All parts of the plant contain nicotine, this has been extracted and used as an insecticide. Dynamic accumulator.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Industrial Crop: Pesticide: Many plants provide natural pesticides.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Industrial Crop: Pesticide: Many plants provide natural pesticides.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
How it is grown
Prefers a well-drained deep rich moist soil in a sunny position. This species is hardy to about -5°c. Plants can survive the winter outdoors in the milder parts of Britain, though they usually act as herbaceous perennials in such conditions. Plants require more than 14 hours daylight per day in order to induce flowering.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a warm greenhouse about 10 weeks before the last expected spring frosts. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 20 days at 20°c. Keep the soil moist and pot up as soon as the plants are big enough to handle, planting them out after the last expected frosts.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
All parts of the plant are poisonous.