Tree Tobacco
Nicotianna glauca
Watercolor of Tree Tobacco, Nicotianna glauca from live specimen. Shown at right-center is the Broad-billed Hummingbird, a frequent visitor to the flowers.
FLOWERS: Groups of waxy, pale yellow, tubular flowers appear nearly
year-round at the ends of branches and are attractive to hummingbirds.
TREE:1 to 4 m. A short-lived tree with little wood. Often produces new
shoots from underground runners.
RANGE: A frequent component of riparian habitats in Arizona mostly below
1200 m elevation. Widespread elsewhere on river flood plains and in
human-disturbed habitats. Probably introduced from tropical America many
generations ago.
LEAVES: Large leaves with glaucus (smooth) and waxy texture. The leaves
contain high concentration of nicotine.
FRUIT: Dry capsules with many seeds.
UNARMED Plant is without thorns, but is likely toxic to many potential
plant-eaters.
Solanaceae -- Nightshade Family
More Information:
- Jepson Manual
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search