How to identify Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)

How to identify Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)

Tree tobacco, also known as Tobacco , Tobacco Bush, Tobacco Tree, Mustard tree, Glaucous-leaf tobacco

Tree tobacco appears as a slender, multi-branched shrub or small tree reaching heights up to 20 feet (6 meters). Its foliage is characterized by glaucous, oval-shaped leaves that can extend up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. Small, tubular yellow flowers hang in clusters, attracting various pollinators. The silhouette of tree tobacco is often irregular, with a tendency to grow in dense, exclusive groups. Its hearty nature enables it to thrive in arid conditions, making it a tough competitor to other vegetation.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Tree tobacco

Glaucous oval leaves up to 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Tubular yellow flowers in clusters, attracting pollinators.

Irregular silhouette, growing in dense groups, up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall.

Egg-shaped fruit capsule, 0.5 to 0.75 inches (1.27 to 1.9 cm) long, splitting upon maturity.

Smooth, succulent leaves with a waxy coating, oblong to ovate, 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm).

Detailed Traits of Tree tobacco

Leaf Features

The leaves of tree tobacco are distinctively smooth, succulent, and arranged alternately on the stems. Each leaf is borne on a stalk and is covered with a thick epicuticular waxy layer, providing a glaucous appearance. The leaves are generally oblong to ovate in shape, ranging from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) in length. They feature a uniform green color with a subtle bluish tint due to the waxy coating, and have a simple vein pattern with a central midrib.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Obtuse

Leaf Texture

Coriaceous

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of tree tobacco are tubular, measuring about 1.2 inches (3 cm) in length. They exhibit a cream to yellow-green hue and are five-lobed at the top. The petals are fused into a narrow tube, flaring slightly at the end into five small, rounded lobes. Blooms are arranged in clusters and emit a faint fragrance, attracting pollinators. The blooming period typically spans spring to fall, providing extended visual interest.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of tree tobacco is an egg-shaped, two-valved capsule, approximately 0.5 to 0.75 inches (1.27 to 1.9 cm) in length, often a bit longer than the subtending papery calyx. Its surface is dry and smooth. Inside, it harbors a multitude of diminutive seeds that are capable of being dispersed by the elements, such as wind and water. This capsule characteristically splits along its valves upon maturity, facilitating the distribution of its tiny, dust-like seeds.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Tree tobacco and Their Similar Plants

Tobacco vs. Tree tobacco: What's The Difference?

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is a herbaceous annual plant that is used commercially to produce tobacco. Tobacco produces fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in summer. This plant is considered a weed when it is found in gardens or among other crops. Bees are attracted to its fragrant smell. This species grows best in full sun, partial shade, and moist, rich soil.

Flowering tobacco vs. Tree tobacco: What's The Difference?

Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) is native to Central and South America. Unlike its more famous cousin, flowering tobacco is primarily used as a fragrant ornamental flower. The blooms can come in shades of red, pink, yellow, white, or lime green. Flowering tobacco should be kept away from other plants of the nightshade family due to the potential to transfer a viral infection.

South american tobacco vs. Tree tobacco: What's The Difference?

It is a tall plant, growing to 1.5 m high by 50 cm broad. The leaves are simple, somewhat sticky, with the blade partially surrounding the stem, clasping petiole. Flowers are produced on many-branched stems. The flowers are tubular, white, borne in racemes held above the foliage. Flowers can be over 7 cm long with a face 2 cm wide.

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Key Facts About Tree tobacco

Attributes of Tree tobacco

Lifespan

Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

5 m

Spread

2.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Silver

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 5 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Cream

Gold

Stem Color

Green

Blue

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Tree tobacco

Highly Toxic to Humans

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Tree tobacco

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Nightshades, bindweeds, gooseweeds, and allies

Family

Nightshade

Genus

Tobacco plants

Species

Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)

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Distribution Map of Tree tobacco

Tree tobacco, a perennial plant known for its vigorous growth, is intrinsically linked to various regions within South America where it is indigenous. The plant has since broadened its presence, having been introduced to multiple continents, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. During its expansion, tree tobacco has been cultivated, though information on the extent of its cultivation remains limited. In some areas beyond its native range, tree tobacco is sometimes thought to be invasive, potentially influencing local ecosystems where it competes with native flora. However, the full impact on these ecosystems is not always explicitly documented.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Tree tobacco

A Comprehensive Guide to Tree tobacco How to Grow and Care for Tree tobacco