Tobacco-bush (Nicotiana glauca, Edinburgh New Philos. J. 5: 175 (1828))

Family: Solanaceae

Author: Graham

Bibliography: Edinburgh New Philos. J. 5: 175 (1828)

Year: 1828

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Nicotiana

Vegetable: False

Observations: Bolivia to Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and S. South America

Description

The Tobacco-bush, scientifically known as Nicotiana glauca, is a notable plant species first documented in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal in 1828 by the renowned botanist Graham. This hardy member of the Solanaceae family flourishes predominantly in regions extending from Bolivia to Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul and throughout southern South America.

Nicotiana glauca, recognized for its resilience and adaptability, typically inhabits arid and semi-arid environments. The plant can often be found in disturbed soils and along roadsides, thriving in areas where many other species might struggle. The Tobacco-bush features elongated, bluish-green leaves that are densely covered with a waxy coating, providing a distinctive glaucous appearance, which is a characteristic hinted at by its species name “glauca.”

This shrub or small tree can reach impressive heights, sometimes growing up to several meters tall. One of its most striking visual traits is the clusters of tubular yellow flowers that bloom abundantly, making it not only useful for its robust growth but also attractive for ornamental purposes. The flowers play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, acting as a source of nectar for various pollinators.

Despite its beauty and usefulness, caution is advised regarding Nicotiana glauca, as it contains toxic alkaloids similar to those found in other tobacco species. These compounds can be harmful if ingested by humans and animals, necessitating careful handling and placement in gardens or natural landscapes.

Overall, the Tobacco-bush captures interest for both its ecological versatility and its vivid floral display. Historically acknowledged nearly two centuries ago, it continues to be a subject of study and admiration within botanical and horticultural circles.

Common Names

Deu: blaugrüner strauchtabak, blaugrüner tabak
Eng: glaucous-leaf tobacco, tobacco-bush, tree tobacco, wild tobacco
Fra: tabac arborescent, tabac glauque
Ita: tabacco glauco
Spa: tabaco moro, aciculito, berenjena del diablo, bobo, calenturero, charuto-do-rei, gandul, tabaco moruno, venenero
Mlt: tabakk tas-swar
Heb: tabbak ha’siakh, טבק השיח
Ell: arkokapnos, giatros
Swe: blåtobak, busktobak
Por: charuteira, charuto do rei, charuto-do-rei, figueira-da-índia, roca-de-vénus, tabaco-arbóreo, tabaco-bravo, tabaqueira azul
Afr: wildetabak
En: Tobacco-bush, Wild tobacco, Tree tobacco, Glaucous-leaf tobacco, Glaucous tobacco
Af: Wildetabak
Ar: مصاصه (مَصَّاصه), تبغ أزرق
Ca: Tabac de jardí
Zh: 光烟草
Nl: Blauwgroene Tabak, Boomtabak
Fi: Pensastupakka
Fr: Tabac arborescent, Tabac glauque
De: Blaugrüner Tabak, Blaugrüner Strauchtabak, Blauer Tabak
El: Arkokapnos, Giatros
He: טבק השיח, Tabbak ha’siakh
It: Tabacco glauco
Lv: Pelēkā tabaka
Mk: Дрвенест тутун
Mt: Tabakk tas-Swar
Fa: توتون درختچه‌ای
Pl: Tytoń siny
Pt: Charuto-do-rei, Figueira-da-índia, Charuteira, Charuto do rei, Roca-de-vénus, Tabaco-arbóreo, Tabaco-bravo, Tabaqueira azul
Qu: Hatun sayri
Ru: Табачное дерево
Es: Gandul, Tabaco moro, Aciculito, Berenjena del diablo, Bobo, Calenturero, Charuto-do-rei, Tabaco moruno, Venenero, Palán-palán, Ckackar, Helado, Karalawara, Karallanta, Mayu k’ara lawa, Palan-palan, Q’ara lawra
Sv: Blåtobak, Busktobak
Wa: Blåwe toubak

Synonyms

• Siphaulax glabra (Raf.)
• Nicotiana arborea (Larrañaga)
• Nicotiana glauca var. grandiflora (Comes)
• Nicotiana glauca var. decurrens (Comes)
• Nicotiana glauca f. genuina (Millán)
• Nicotiana glauca var. angustifolia (Comes)
• Nicotidendron glauca ((Graham) Griseb.)
• Nicotiana glauca var. typica (Millán)
• Nicotiana glauca f. lateritia (Lillo)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Central American Pac (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Selvagens (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• Sinai (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 9, 2019 by García Joaquin García (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2019 by Gutiérrez Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2019 by Almudena Luna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by La Nena (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by La Nena (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 23, 2015 by Frédéric Berry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2015 by Frédéric Berry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2019 by Gutiérrez Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2018 by Monique Carrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by camille francart (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 17, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2019 by Lina Bedda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2019 by Gutiérrez Daniel (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Fruit

Taken Jan 17, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2019 by Eve Eve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Julien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2020 by jessisergio Jessisergio (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2019 by Sinan Avcı (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 30, 2016 by Giuseppe Gullotta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2016 by Tela Botanica − DOMINIQUE CHIRPAZ (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2016 by Tela Botanica − DOMINIQUE CHIRPAZ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Bart van Ulden (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928783)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:816941-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nicotiana glauca Graham)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 5