Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Nicotiana
Species
glauca
Nicotiana glauca is a species of wild tobacco known by the common name tree
tobacco. Its leaves are attached to the stalk by petioles (many other Nicotiana species
have sessile leaves), and its leaves and stems are neither pubescent nor sticky like
Nicotiana tabacum. It resembles Cestrum parqui but differs in the form of leaves and
fusion of the outer floral parts. It grows to heights of more than two meters. Tree
tobacco is native to South America but it is now widespread as an introduced species on
other continents. It is a common roadside weed in the southwestern United States, and an
invasive plant species in California native plant habitats. The plant is used for a
variety of medicinal purposes and smoked by Native American groups. The Cahuilla Indians
used leaves interchangeably with other tobacco species in hunting rituals and as a
poultice to treat swellings, bruises, cuts, wounds, boils, sores, inflamed throat, and
swollen glands. Contains the toxic alkaloid anabasine. Ingestion of the leaves can be
fatal. It is being investigated for use as a biofuel.