Tree tobacco
Nicotiana glauca is a species of wild tobacco known by the common name tree tobacco. It is an erect, often spindly, tree-like shrub to 6 m and generally grows in open and disturbed areas.
This species is very widely naturalised in Australia, particularly in the eastern and southern parts of the country. It is common in many parts of Queensland, throughout most of New South Wales and South Australia, and in western Victoria. Relatively common in the southern parts of Western Australia and the southern parts of the Northern Territory. Also present in the ACT, and in other parts of Western Australia and Victoria.
Generally prefers open disturbed land
Tree tobacco is an evergreen, soft-wooded shrub or small tree, growing up to 6 metres tall, with stems that are laxly branched
It grows in a wide variety of open and disturbed habitats, but is mainly a problem in drier inland regions in the southern parts of the country. It has the potential to reduce biodiversity by out competing native species. Tree tobacco is known to hybridise with several closely related native species (i.e. Nicotiana suaveolens, Nicotiana simulans and Nicotiana goodspeedii). The progeny of the Nicotiana glauca and Nicotiana suaveolens cross, which occurs in Victoria, is known as Nicotiana x flinderiensis.
Its leaves are thick and rubbery with a blue green or grey green appearence. Leaves have a roundish base curving to a pointed tip (ovate or elliptic) to 20 cm long. Leaf stalk (petiole) around 6cm.
It has yellow tubular flowers about 5 cm long and 1 cm wide. Flowers last for approximately 3 days and close after sunset. Flowers have no scent.
Tree tobacco has a high rate of fruit and seed set and seed are high viabile.
Nicotiana suaveolens, Nicotiana simulans and Nicotiana goodspeedii
