Aztec tobacco (Nicotiana rustica, Sp. Pl.: 180 (1753))

Family: Solanaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 180 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Nicotiana

Vegetable: False

Observations: Peru

Description

Aztec tobacco, scientifically known as Nicotiana rustica, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. Documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” this plant boasts a rich cultural and historical significance. Natively observed in Peru, Aztec tobacco is deeply embedded in the agricultural and medicinal practices of Indigenous cultures.

Characterized by its robust, leafy appearance, Nicotiana rustica is known for its significantly higher nicotine content compared to the more commonly known Nicotiana tabacum, making it a potent species traditionally utilized in various ceremonial contexts. The plant typically features large green leaves and small, yellowish tubular flowers, contributing to its distinctive look within the Solanaceae family.

Historically, the native tribes of the Americas regarded Aztec tobacco as a sacred plant, often used in rituals and as a means of communication with the spiritual world. The high nicotine concentration makes it an intense psychoactive agent, which was meticulously managed by those who cultivated and used it for specific ceremonial purposes.

In agricultural terms, Nicotiana rustica is relatively hardy and can grow in a variety of soil types, although it thrives best in well-drained, loamy soil. It requires full sunlight and regular watering to reach its full potential, which makes it a versatile plant for different environments, albeit one that demands careful handling due to its potent nature.

In the present day, while its use has diminished in mainstream social contexts, Aztec tobacco remains a valuable species for ethnobotanical studies and certain traditional practices. Its historical and cultural legacy continues to be of interest to botanists, historians, and those engaged in the study of Indigenous traditions.

Understanding the profound impact and role of Nicotiana rustica in various cultures helps underscore the intricate relationships between plants and human societies throughout history.

Common Names

Eng: aztec tobacco, indian tabacco, wild tobacco, native tobacco, nicotine tobacco, small tobacco
Deu: bauern-tabak
Dan: bonde-tobak
Lit: kaimiškasis tabakas
Fra: petit tabac, tabac de jardin, tabac rustique, tabac des paysans, tabac
Ita: tabacco della virginia
Spa: tabaco salvaje, gandul, tabac de jardí, tabaco moro, tabaco moruno, tabaco negro, árbol del tabaco
Swe: bondtobak
Hun: kapadohány
Por: tabaco-azteca, tabaco-verde
Ces: tabak sedliacky, tabák selský
Nld: boerentabak
Cym: baco gwyllt
En: Aztec tobacco, Nicotine tobacco, Wild tobacco, Indian tabacco, Small tobacco, Native tobacco, Brazilan tobacco, Wild tabacco, Buure-Tabak, Indian Tobacco, Turkish Tobacco
Ar: تبغ صدئي
Hy: Մախորկա
Az: Tənbəki
Eu: Basatabako
Be: Махорка
Ca: Tabac de pota
Zh: 黄花烟草
Hr: Divlji duhan
Cs: Tabák selský, Tabak sedliacky
Da: Bondetobak, Bonde-tobak
Nl: Boerentabak
Et: Mahorkatubakas
Fi: Palturitupakka
Fr: Tabac rustique, Petit tabac, Tabac de jardin, Tabac des paysans, Tabac, Nicotiane rustique
Ka: Წეკო
De: Bauern-Tabak, Machorka
He: ניקוטיאנה רוסטיקה
Hu: Kapadohány
It: Tabacco del Brasile, Tabacco della Virginia, Tabacco brasile
Ky: Махорка
Ko: 마파초
Lt: Kaimiškasis tabakas
Mk: Селски тутун
Ne: सुर्ती
Fa: توتون
Pl: Tytoń bakun
Pt: Tabaco-azteca, Tabaco-verde
Pt-br: Tabaco-do-México, Fumo, Fumo-agreste, Fumo-brasileiro, Fumo-roxo
Ru: Махорка
Es: Tabaco salvaje, Gandul, Tabac de jardí, Tabaco moro, Tabaco moruno, Tabaco negro, Árbol del tabaco, Tabaco silvestre
Sv: Bondtobak
Th: ยาสูบเล็ก
Uk: Махорка
Uz: Maxorka
Vi: Thuốc lào
Cy: Baco gwyllt

Synonyms

• Nicotiana minor (Garsault)
• Nicotiana humilis (Link)
• Nicotiana asiatica (Schult.)
• Nicotiana texana (Maxim.)
• Nicotiana turcica (Dunal)
• Nicotiana andicola (Kunth)
• Nicotiana brasilia (Steud.)
• Nicotiana pumila (Steud.)
• Nicotiana pavonii var. rotundifolia (Comes)
• Nicotia rustica ((L.) Opiz)
• Nicotiana scabra (Lehm.)
• Nicotiana rustica var. texana ((Maxim.) Comes)
• Nicotiana rustica var. pavonii ((Dunal) Goodsp.)
• Nicotiana rustica var. major (Alef.)
• Nicotiana tatarica (Lehm.)
• Nicotiana pavonii (Dunal)
• Nicotiana rustica var. minor (Alef.)
• Nicotiana sibirica (Lehm.)
• Nicotiana rugosa (Mill.)
• Nicotiana rustica var. pumila (Schrank)
• Nicotiana rustica var. humilis (Schrank)
• Nicotiana rustica var. asiatica (Schrank)
• Nicotiana rustica var. brasilia (Schrank)

Distribution

• Peru (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Qinghai (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Sinai (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by chrisantem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Mohand TAAMOURTE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2021 by Pablo Castro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2021 by Easger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by Peñalver José Aurelio (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Anthar Kharana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2021 by Jaume Franch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2021 by Easger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2017 by Pierre GERNIGON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2022 by G Nima (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 24, 2022 by fateme ziaraty (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2022 by fateme ziaraty (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 26, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2021 by Easger (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Andrew McConnell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Bunyol Arnau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Julia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2021 by Easger (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Jean-François Girard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Julia (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Bunyol Arnau (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928775)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:817055-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nicotiana rustica L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 7