Tree Tobacco
ExplorePlants
Tree Tobacco
nicotiana glauca
Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) is a fast-growing, woody shrub or small tree native to South America that has successfully naturalized in warm, arid regions globally. Characterized by its blue-green, rubbery leaves and clusters of bright yellow, tubular flowers, it is a hardy pioneer species that thrives in disturbed soils, roadsides, and riverbanks. While it belongs to the tobacco family, it is highly toxic to humans and livestock due to the presence of anabasine, an alkaloid closely related to nicotine. Despite its toxicity, Tree Tobacco plays an important ecological role, attracting various pollinators like hummingbirds with its nectar-rich flowers. Its ability to tolerate extreme drought and poor soil makes it an exceptionally resilient plant, though in many areas outside its native range, it is considered an invasive weed that outcompetes native vegetation. Use the Snappit app to scan, identify, and learn about Tree Tobacco in real-time.
Habitat: Found in dry, disturbed habitats such as roadsides, riverbanks, waste areas, and coastal scrub.
Appearance
This evergreen shrub typically grows between 2 to 6 meters tall, featuring sparse, sprawling branches with a distinct blue-gray or glaucous coating on its smooth, pale bark. Its leaves are thick, rubbery, and ovate, measuring up to 20 cm long with a striking bluish-green hue. The most identifying feature is the terminal clusters of elongated, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers, each about 3 to 5 cm long, which bloom year-round in warm climates and eventually produce small, egg-shaped seed capsules.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSolanalesFamilySolanaceaeGenusNicotiana
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its common name and classification under the Nicotiana genus, Tree Tobacco does not contain significant amounts of nicotine; instead, its primary alkaloid is anabasine.
In some native South American cultures, the leaves were historically used in traditional medicine as poultices for wounds and skin conditions.
It is highly toxic to both humans and livestock, and even contact with the leaves can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
The species is exceptionally good at phytoremediation, absorbing heavy metals like zinc and lead from polluted soils.
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Defense System
Produces the highly toxic alkaloid anabasine, which deters most herbivores and pests from feeding on its foliage.
Ability
Drought Tolerance
Features thick, waxy, glaucous leaves that minimize water loss, allowing the plant to thrive in hyper-arid conditions.
Ability
Rapid Colonization
Produces thousands of tiny, wind-dispersed seeds that quickly establish in disturbed, nutrient-poor soils.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 200-600 cm
- Lifespan
- 5-15 years
Diet & Feeding
As an autotrophic plant, Tree Tobacco generates its own food through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Soil Minerals
Ecological connections
mutualism
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Feeds on the nectar and acts as a primary pollinator for the tubular flowers.
eaten by
Tomato Hornworm
Manduca quinquemaculata
Feeds on the leaves as a larval host, tolerating the toxic alkaloids.
mutualism
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits the yellow tubular flowers to forage for nectar and pollen.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Tree Tobacco?
The easiest way to identify Tree Tobacco is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Tree Tobacco?
200-600 cm
How long does Tree Tobacco live?
5-15 years
What does Tree Tobacco eat?
As an autotrophic plant, Tree Tobacco generates its own food through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Where is Tree Tobacco usually found?
Found in dry, disturbed habitats such as roadsides, riverbanks, waste areas, and coastal scrub.
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