Nicotiana
A genus of plants cultivated for tobacco and ornamental flowers.
Nicotiana is a genus of herbaceous plants and shrubs belonging to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. These plants are native to the Americas, Australia, southwestern Africa, and the South Pacific. Many species, known collectively as tobacco plants, are grown by people. The most widely cultivated species is *Nicotiana tabacum*, which is farmed globally for its leaves, used to manufacture products like cigars, cigarillos, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, snuff, and snus.
The genus includes 79 accepted species. Among them are *Nicotiana acuminata* (manyflower tobacco), *Nicotiana alata* (jasmine tobacco), *Nicotiana attenuata* (coyote tobacco), *Nicotiana benthamiana* (benth), *Nicotiana glauca* (tree tobacco), *Nicotiana rustica* (Aztec tobacco), and *Nicotiana sylvestris* (woodland tobacco). Several manmade hybrids also exist, such as *Nicotiana × sanderae*.
The name *Nicotiana*—from which the word nicotine comes—honors Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal, who sent samples of the plant as a medicine to the court of Catherine de' Medici in 1559.
Despite containing nicotine and other compounds like germacrene and anabasine that deter most herbivores, some animals have evolved to feed on *Nicotiana* species without harm. Certain species, such as tree tobacco (*N. glauca*), have become invasive in some regions. In the 19th century, flea beetles—especially the potato flea beetle (*Epitrix cucumeris*) and *Epitrix pubescens*—heavily damaged young tobacco plants, destroying half the U.S. tobacco crop in 1876. By 1880, growers found that covering young plants with a thin fabric frame (instead of branches) protected them from the beetles, and this method became widespread by the 1890s.
Tobacco and its products can be infested by pests like the tobacco beetle (*Lasioderma serricorne*) and the tobacco moth (*Ephestia elutella*), which are the most damaging in the industry. Infestation can occur from the field to finished products. Other moth caterpillars that feed on *Nicotiana* include the black cutworm (*Agrotis ipsilon*), the tobacco hornworm (*Manduca sexta*), the tomato hornworm (*Manduca quinquemaculata*), the cabbage looper (*Trichoplusia ni*), and the fall armyworm (*Spodoptera frugiperda*), among others.
- genus
- Nicotiana
- family
- Solanaceae
- native_range
- Americas, Australia, Southwestern Africa, South Pacific
- number_of_species
- 79 accepted and known species
- notable_species
- Nicotiana tabacum (common tobacco)
- named_after
- Jean Nicot, French ambassador to Portugal
- uses
- Tobacco products, ornamental plants
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Nicotiana
- Type Species
- Nicotiana tabacum
- Type Species Authority
- L.
- Subdivision
- See text
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The genus Nicotiana was named in honor of Jean Nicot, French ambassador to Portugal, who in 1559 sent samples as a medicine to the court of Catherine de' Medici. The word nicotine is derived from this genus. Despite containing nicotine and other pyridine alkaloids that deter most herbivores, some animals have evolved to feed on Nicotiana species without harm. Some species, such as tree tobacco (N. glauca), have become invasive in some places.
Reader's Guide
Nicotiana species are significant primarily for their role in tobacco production, with N. tabacum being the main species cultivated worldwide for manufacturing cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other products. The genus also includes ornamental species like N. sylvestris and N. alata, grown as flowering tobacco for their sweet-smelling evening blooms. Ecologically, Nicotiana plants face pests such as the tobacco beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) and tobacco moth (Ephestia elutella), as well as various caterpillars including the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta). In the 19th century, flea beetles caused significant damage to tobacco crops, leading to the adoption of fabric covers for protection. The genus comprises 79 accepted species, with some formerly placed species now reclassified, such as Petunia axillaris.
Did You Know?
- The genus Nicotiana was named after Jean Nicot, who sent samples to the French court in 1559.
- Some Nicotiana species, like tree tobacco (N. glauca), have become invasive in certain regions.
- The tobacco beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) and tobacco moth (Ephestia elutella) are the most widespread pests in the tobacco industry.
- Several Nicotiana species are grown as ornamental plants, often called flowering tobacco, and bloom in the evening.
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