Nicotiana attenuata

Nicotiana attenuata is a species of wild tobacco known by the common name coyote tobacco. It is native to western North America, from British Columbia to Mexico, and across much of the United States. It grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas.

Description

Nicotiana attenuata is an annual herb exceeding a meter in maximum height. Its stem is coated in short, sticky hairs. The leaves are up to 20 centimeters long, the lower ones oval in shape and the upper narrower. The inflorescence is a large, open array of flowers with five-lobed corollas up to 4 centimeters long. The corolla is white with a tubular throat and a face that is flat or slightly bell-shaped. The fruit is a capsule up to 1.5 centimeters long.

Ecology

Nicotiana attenuata has a number of ecological interactions. It is pollinated by moths and hummingbirds, and its seeds are dispersed by wind. It is also a host plant for several species of insects, including the tobacco hornworm and the hawk moth.

Uses

Nicotiana attenuata has been used by Native American tribes as a ceremonial plant and a source of smoking material. The leaves are dried and smoked, and the plant is also used in traditional medicine.

Cultivation

Nicotiana attenuata is not typically cultivated due to its status as a wild plant. However, it can be grown from seed and prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil.

See also

• Nicotiana
• Tobacco

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