Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca
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| Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca |
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| Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca | Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca |
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| Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca | Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca |
Tree Tobacco Nicotiana glauca is an annual, biannual, or sometimes a short-lived perennial shrub or tree. It stands up to 25 feet in height. Large plants have numerous multi-branched stems arising from their bases. The large leaves are oblong, green, and clasp the stem. They become smaller as they near the end of the branches’ flowering top. The small, tubular, cream-colored, greenish white flowers form at branch ends. The seed capsules contain many small brown seeds. The entire plant is sticky and covered with small hairs. It is commonly found in Arizona and parts of New Mexico. Look for this native plant in disturbed soils, vacant lots, trail and roadsides, flood plains, and along washes and drainages. The oval to lance-shaped leaves are up to 7 inches long and covered with soft, short hairs. They grow opposite each other on the stem, attached directly at the base. The five-lobed, yellowish, trumpet-shaped flowers are about 1.5 to 3 inches long. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). Tree tobacco, while related to tobacco, is said not to contain nicotine. Instead, Nicotiana glauca's active ingredient is anabasine--an alkaloid similar to nicotine. Parts of this plant are considered poisonous.
Height: From 2 to 25 Feet Tall. |