img

Nicotiana tabacum

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Nicotiana

paka, tobacco

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Erect, stout annual or short-lived perennial herbs.

Stems: Stems sparsely branched, viscid pubescent with abundant glandular hairs.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades elliptic to ovate or obovate, up to 50 cm long, usually decreasing in size up the stem. Apex acute to acuminate. Base decurrent. Surfaces glandular pubescent, green. Margins entire or undulate. Lower leaves with winged petioles, upper leaves subsessile. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in short, dense panicles, pedicels 5–15 mm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic, pedicellate. Calyx tubular, 12–20 mm long, the tube 10–15 mm long, the lobes narrowly triangular, acute, sometimes unequal, shorter than Calyx tube. Corolla salverform, the limb white, pink, or reddish, 5-lobed to pentagonal, 30–50 mm in diameter, the tube proper shorter and narrower than throat cylinder, 4–5 cm long, throat cup distinct. Stamens unequal, the upper 4 long, the fifth shorter all inserted near base of corolla tube and adnate to it for ca. 1 cm; filaments 2.5–4 cm long, pubescent at base; Stamens 5, variously inserted on corolla tube; anthers dithecal, longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary superior, 2-celled, placentation axile; ovules numerous; style 1, slender; stigma capitate, slightly 2-lobed.

Fruit: Capsules ellipsoid to ovoid; equalling or exceeding calyx; 1.5–2.5 cm long. Seeds numerous; ca. 0.5 mm long; globose to oblong; seed coat wavy–reticulate.

Ploidy: 2n = 23; 24; 46; 48; 72

Habitat: Naturalized in dry; rarely mesic; disturbed sites; usually coastal.

Elevation Range: 0–25(–140) m.

Historical Distribution

Synonyms (79)

Nicotiana alba Mill. (1768)
Nicotiana alipes Steud. (1821)
Nicotiana angustifolia Ehrh. (1790)
Nicotiana attenuata Steud. (1821)
Nicotiana auriculata Bertol. ex Moris (1828)
Nicotiana capensis Vilm. (1863)
Nicotiana caudata Nutt. (1848)
Nicotiana chinensis Fisch. ex Lehm. (1818)
Nicotiana crispula Steud. (1841)
Nicotiana doniana Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana florida Salisb. (1796)
Nicotiana frutescens Lehm. (1818)
Nicotiana fruticosa L. (1759)
Nicotiana fruticosa var. albiflora Schltdl. (1839)
Nicotiana fruticosa var. angustifolia Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana gigantea Lehm. (1818)
Nicotiana gracilipes Steud. (1821)
Nicotiana guatemalensis E.Vilm. (1863)
Nicotiana havanensis Lehm. (1818)
Nicotiana lancifolia Willd. ex Lehm. (1818)
Nicotiana latissima Mill. (1768)
Nicotiana lehmannii C.Agardh ex Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana lingua Steud. (1821)
Nicotiana loxensis Kunth (1818)
Nicotiana macrophylla Spreng. (1807)
Nicotiana marylandica Schübl. ex Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana mexicana Schltdl. (1841)
Nicotiana mexicana var. rubriflora Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana nepalensis Link & Otto ex Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana pallescens Steud. (1821)
Nicotiana petiolaris Schltdl. ex Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana petiolata C.Agardh (1819)
Nicotiana pilosa Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana repanda Sims (1824)
Nicotiana sanguinea Link & Otto ex Dunal (1852)
Nicotiana sellowii Link & Otto ex Maxim. (1869)
Nicotiana serotina Steud. (1821)
Nicotiana tabaca St.-Lag. (1880)
Nicotiana tabacum convar. latissima Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum convar. virginica Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum f. attenuata (Schrank) Regel (1861)
Nicotiana tabacum f. fruticosa (L.) Voss (1894)
Nicotiana tabacum var. alata Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. alipes Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. amesfortensis Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. angustifolia Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. attenuata Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. brasiliensis Comes (1899)
Nicotiana tabacum var. bullosa Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. chinensis (Fisch. ex Lehm.) Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. cordata Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. decimalis Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. dinophylla Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. fruticosa (L.) Hook. (1876)
Nicotiana tabacum var. gigantea Wender. (1841)
Nicotiana tabacum var. goyanum Glaz. (1911)
Nicotiana tabacum var. gracilipes Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. graeca Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. lanceolata Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. lancifolia (Willd. ex Lehm.) Comes (1899)
Nicotiana tabacum var. latior Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. latissima (Mill.) Eichler (1882)
Nicotiana tabacum var. lingua Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. loxensis Kuntze (1891)
Nicotiana tabacum var. macrophylla (Spreng.) Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. nervosa Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. pallescens Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. pycnophylla Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. serotina Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. suffruticosa Alef. (1866)
Nicotiana tabacum var. undulata Sendtn. (1846)
Nicotiana tabacum var. verdon Schrank (1807)
Nicotiana tabacum var. virginica (C.Agardh) Comes (1899)
Nicotiana verdon Steud. (1821)
Nicotiana virginica C.Agardh (1819)
Nicotiana ybarrensis Kunth (1818)
Tabacum latissimum (Mill.) Bercht. & Opiz (1841)
Tabacum nicotianum Bercht. & Opiz (1841)
Tabacum ovatofolium Gilib. (1782)

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Kamole(Laysan Island) Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Not in flora
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 180 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1262 (La, Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, Ka, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:528 (KEY), 540 (DESCR); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:213 (remove Ka [no evidence of nat.])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Nicotiana tabacum Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 469 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
2 Nicotiana tabacum by trail, Uluhulu Gulch, Kaena Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10001 Oahu BISH 1929-11-03
3 Nicotiana tabacum Lanai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 262 Lanai BISH 1913-12-17
4 Nicotiana tabacum Kualoa Pasture Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 3004 Oahu BISH
5 Nicotiana tabacum Lanai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 308 Lanai BISH 1914-02-04
6 Nicotiana tabacum Kualoa Pasture Preserved_Specimen Board of Agriculture and Forestry 3005 Oahu BISH
7 Nicotiana tabacum Laysan Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Laysan Island BISH 1911-04-01
8 Nicotiana tabacum Manana island, off Waimanalo, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Strandtmann, R.W. Oahu BISH 1979-06-12
9 Nicotiana tabacum Koali Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Kauai BISH 1912-01-01
10 Nicotiana tabacum Rabbit Island Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1934-08-26
11 Nicotiana tabacum Laysan Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Laysan Island BISH 1911-04-01
12 Nicotiana tabacum Windward Oahu, Kailua, Pohakupu, west end of Manu Oo Street, along WWTP pump station access road Preserved_Specimen Guinther, E. 25 Oahu BISH 2005-08-02
13 Nicotiana tabacum Rabbit Island Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1930-03-16
14 Nicotiana tabacum unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. BISH 1864-01-01
15 Nicotiana tabacum Molokai Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Molokai BISH
16 Nicotiana tabacum Wailupe Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2468 Oahu BISH 1917-04-11
17 Nicotiana tabacum Pauwela, growing wild Preserved_Specimen Krauss, N.L.H. 1114 Maui BISH 1967-04-04
18 Nicotiana tabacum 1/2 mi NE of Kieke rocky slope Preserved_Specimen 2m. tall, fl. pink St.John, H. 22752 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
19 Nicotiana tabacum Manana (Rabbit Island) precipitous slope Preserved_Specimen Flowers pink Fosberg, F.R. 12828 Oahu BISH 1936-01-18
20 Nicotiana tabacum Visitor Center and main ruins, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Predominately exotic vegetation. Area highly modified by ancient Polynesians. Storage area. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 1325 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
21 Nicotiana tabacum SW edge of lagoon associated with Pluchea, Sicyos and Cynodon Preserved_Specimen Sticky-haired annual herb. about 6' tall, with pink flowers Herbst, D.R. 6512 Laysan Island BISH 1980-07-13
22 Nicotiana tabacum Hawaii National Park, Apua lava tube opening Preserved_Specimen Corolla: Pink Fagerlund, G.O. 373 Hawaii BISH 1943-02-18
23 Nicotiana tabacum Sunset Beach sandy loam, in gardens Preserved_Specimen herb; 1-2'high; velvety, dark green leaves; dark purple flowers Weber, L. Oahu BISH 1977-03-11
24 Nicotiana tabacum Kamoamoa on the coast on the coast Preserved_Specimen fruits Stone, B.C. 2874 Hawaii BISH 1959-06-20
25 Nicotiana tabacum Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus, Mauka Field Laboratory partial shade amongst taller woody plants Preserved_Specimen herbaceous weed 1.5m tall; sparsly branched. Corolla limb rose pink. The entire plant has a pungent tobacco odor. Lau, J. 1528 Oahu BISH 1985-10-16
26 Nicotiana tabacum Puhi Camp, just west of Kauai Community College yard of abandoned home site Preserved_Specimen small, sticky herb. Corolla tube pale green, lobes bright pink, throat green Flynn, T.W. 1632 Kauai BISH 1986-04-03
27 Nicotiana tabacum NW side sandy substratum; near Casuarina equisetifolia Preserved_Specimen 3-4 ft. high Tsuda, R.T. 486 Laysan Island BISH 1963-12-04
28 Nicotiana tabacum NW side of island On sandy substratum near Casuarina equisetifolia. Preserved_Specimen Growing ca. 3-4 ft ht. Tsuda, R.T. 486 Laysan Island BISH 1963-12-04
29 Nicotiana tabacum Waialua, nr. L.D.S. church silty loam Preserved_Specimen Herb to 8' tall; large sticky hairy leaves, rose colored flowers Afualo, D. 56 Oahu BISH 1975-03-16
30 Nicotiana tabacum 1/2 mi NE of Kieke rocky slope Preserved_Specimen 2m. tall, fl. pink St.John, H. 22752 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
31 Nicotiana tabacum NW side of island On sandy substratum near Casuarina equisetifolia. Preserved_Specimen Growing ca. 3-4 ft ht. Tsuda, R.T. 486 Laysan Island BISH 1963-12-04
32 Nicotiana tabacum Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Near a Casuarina tree in crest of dune area. Preserved_Specimen Tall herb; 1.5 m; flower pink. Conant, S. 151 Laysan Island BISH 1983-07-22
33 Nicotiana tabacum Found occasionally in Nualolo Valley, Na Pali Coast Collected on a talus slope under a closed Aleurites moluccana forest. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 337 Kauai BISH 1979-07-18
34 Nicotiana tabacum Hanalei District: Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, on summit of Mokolea Point Coastal herbaceous vegetation on basalt cliff tops with Boerhavia, Lipochaeta, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Digitaria, Fimbristylis dichotoma, Cynodon dactylon. Preserved_Specimen Herb 1.5-2 m., all parts glandular-sticky. Corolla tube pale green, limb pink. Capsules green ripening brown. Naturalized, small population locally. Lorence, D.H. 7999 Kauai BISH 1997-06-06
35 Nicotiana tabacum West side, on seaward slope and top of ridge sandy Preserved_Specimen Fl. red Daniel, C.W. 7 Laysan Island BISH 1959-07-24
36 Nicotiana tabacum Manana island, off Waimanalo, Oahu Abundant in the crater and on the N. face of the S. side peak. Preserved_Specimen Strandtmann, R.W. Oahu BISH 1979-06-12
37 Nicotiana tabacum Manana island, off Waimanalo, Oahu From near the top of the S. (?) peak. Preserved_Specimen Strandtmann, R.W. Oahu BISH 1979-06-12
38 Nicotiana tabacum Kalaupapa; Kauhako crater, SW trail through ohe makai-halapepe forest; rim, open Preserved_Specimen erect herb Wysong, M.L. 527 Molokai BISH 2004-12-08
39 Nicotiana tabacum East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Gardens Disturbed area between Pandanus forest and lawn area around pi`ilanihale heiau. Preserved_Specimen Herb seven ft. Leaves dark, dull green above, paler below. Inflorensdcence sticky. Corolla tube pale green at base becomingwhitish-green with pink lobes. Flynn, T.W. 2438 Maui BISH 1987-10-15
40 Nicotiana tabacum Puuwaawaa Open rangeland near the SE corner of the 1986 burn Preserved_Specimen 7' shrub, occasional weed of disturbed areas Takeuchi, W.N. 5792 Hawaii BISH 1989-10-01
41 Nicotiana tabacum Auwaiolimu St., near where it goes under Pouwaina Dr Sunny waste area on roadside Preserved_Specimen Two individuals, very sticky and glandular Faccenda, K. 1808 Oahu BISH 2021-05-15
42 Nicotiana tabacum Puuwaawaa; open rangeland near the SE corner of the 1986 burn Of disturbed areas. Preserved_Specimen 7' shrub, weed. Takeuchi, W.N. 5792 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
43 Nicotiana tabacum Lualualei Coral Plain Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1926 Oahu BISH 1914-07-01
44 Nicotiana tabacum Central west area of crater, Manana moist soil Preserved_Specimen pink flrs. Long, C.R. 1685 Oahu BISH 1964-05-02
45 Nicotiana tabacum Kipukai In an old kuliana (native holding) among algeroba trees. Preserved_Specimen Fowers pink. Alexander, A.M. 5339 Kauai BISH 1948-05-01
46 Nicotiana tabacum Kawaihapai, Waianae Range Occasional in open places on arid talus slopes. Probably relict of former local cultivation. Preserved_Specimen Hatheway, W.H. 308 Oahu BISH 1950-07-28
47 Nicotiana tabacum Kapua, Hawaii Growing near house, evidently escape from cultivation Preserved_Specimen Erect herb, height 1 m.; fl. white with pink edge to corolla, fr. gray and brown pod or capsule. Bryan Jr., E.H. 758 Hawaii BISH 1932-11-25
48 Nicotiana tabacum Mokuleia. N Waianae Mtns, Kealia Trail Open, disturbed lowland dry forest. Assoc veg: Leucaena leucocephala, Panicum maximum, Psydrax odorata. Preserved_Specimen Biennial herb w/ viscid pubescence; corolla rose-colo red. Ray, G. 93 Oahu BISH 1998-02-28
49 Nicotiana tabacum Manana Island Preserved_Specimen Robust herb to 2m. Corollas pink-red Lamoureux, C.H. 2569 Oahu BISH 1964-02-29
50 Nicotiana tabacum North slope outside crater above beach facing mainland, Manana Preserved_Specimen Long, C.R. 1686 Oahu BISH 1964-05-02
51 Nicotiana tabacum Kaiholenaliilii Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 451 Lanai BISH 1929-08-14
52 Nicotiana tabacum Site ca 2.7 km NW of Anahulu, ca 17 km E of Military Reservation Boundary Open metrosideros treeland with sparse shrub understory; gentle slope; Mauna Loa a'a; associates Metrosideros polymorpha, Styphelia tameiameiae, Dodonaea viscosa, Lepisorus thunbergianus Preserved_Specimen Close, B. 11958 Hawaii BISH 1995-11-15
53 Nicotiana tabacum along dry section of lagoon Preserved_Specimen erect plant 2-4' high; fl. pink; capsule with numerous seeds. Wilder, G.P. 474 Laysan Island BISH 1930-08-10
54 Nicotiana tabacum East Maui, 2 miles N of Makawao along Hwy.40 Preserved_Specimen roadside weed to 8ft. tall; Fls. with greenish tube, rose-pink limbs very viscid foliage Henrickson, J.S. 3861 Maui BISH 1969-12-07
55 Nicotiana tabacum Laysan Preserved_Specimen Flowers white; plants to 6' tall. Carlquist, S. 2290 Laysan Island BISH 1966-09-18
56 Nicotiana tabacum Kipukai Preserved_Specimen Alexander, A.M. 5339 Kauai BISH 1948-04-30
57 Nicotiana tabacum Niu, Oahu Near the beach Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 449 Oahu BISH 1920-06-29
58 Nicotiana tabacum unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH
59 Nicotiana tabacum Honolulu Open, disturbed lowland dry forest UNKNOWN Bioversity International G. J. Ray Oahu HAPI 2/28/1998
60 Nicotiana tabacum Wailupe Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2468 Oahu BISH 1917-04-11
61 Nicotiana tabacum Laie. 200 ft from old poi factory Preserved_Specimen Au, R. 30 Oahu BISH 1960-12-08
Back to Top