Plant DetailShow Menu

Mustard Tree Nicotiana glauca

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
nih-ko-tee-AY-nah GLAW-kah
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Nicotiana glauca is a species of wild tobacco known by the common name Tree Tobacco. It is a spindly,  many-branched shrub or small tree. It is distributed in warm temperate, arid and subtropical, dry and moist regions, commonly beside roadsides and along riverbanks. It is drought resistant, tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, out-competing native vegetation.  It often forms mono-specific stands and is toxic to livestock. It is considered invasive in many parts of the world including California. 

All plant parts are extremely poisonous.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#poisonous#shrub#warm climates#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#poisonous#shrub#warm climates#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nicotiana
    Species:
    glauca
    Family:
    Solanaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Use medicinally by native cultures
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America
    Distribution:
    AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, MD, NJ, NM, NV, OH, TX
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Tree
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Egg-shaped, two-valved capsule, 0.5- 0.75 inches long and slightly longer than the persistent papery calyx. It produces a large number of tiny seeds, which can be dispersed by wind and water.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Flowers tubular, cream or yellow-green, 5-lobed at top
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are on stalks, alternate, smooth, succulent with a thick epicuticular waxy layer.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Vomiting, diarrhea, slow pulse, dizziness, collapse, paralysis, depression, death, and respiratory failure can occur if eaten.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Nicotine, a toxic alkaloid
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves