Nicotiana: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Nicotiana''' is a genus of herbaceous plants and shrubs in the family Solanaceae, that is indigenous to the Americas, Australia, south west Africa and the South Pacific. Various Nicotiana species, commonly referred to as tobacco plants, are cultivated as ornamental garden plants. N. tabacum is grown worldwide for production of tobacco leaf for cigarettes and other tobacco products.
{{short description|Genus of plants in the nightshade family}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Nicotiana
| image = Tabak_9290019.JPG
| image_caption = ''Nicotiana'' plant
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
| unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]
| unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = '''''Nicotiana'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
}}


== Description ==
'''''Nicotiana''''' is a genus of herbaceous plants and shrubs in the [[nightshade family]] (Solanaceae). The genus is native to the Americas, Australia, southwest Africa, and the South Pacific. Several species of ''Nicotiana'' are cultivated as ornamental garden plants. The most well-known species, ''[[Nicotiana tabacum]]'', is the primary source of tobacco for smoking and other uses.
The '''Nicotiana''' plants are generally tall herbs, reaching 1.5 to 3 meters in height. They have simple, alternate leaves and tubular or funnel-shaped flowers. The flowers are most often white, pink or red. The fruit is a capsule that opens at the top to release the seeds.


== Species ==
==Description==
There are about 67 species of '''Nicotiana''', including:
[[File:Tobacco_blossom_1580.jpg|thumb|left|''Nicotiana'' blossom]]
* [[Nicotiana tabacum|N. tabacum]] – cultivated tobacco, grown for the production of tobacco products.
''Nicotiana'' species are typically annual or perennial herbs, but some species can grow as shrubs. The plants have large, simple leaves and tubular flowers that can be white, pink, red, or green. The flowers are often fragrant, especially at night, to attract pollinators such as moths.
* [[Nicotiana rustica|N. rustica]] – Aztec tobacco, a strong, high-nicotine species native to the Andes and traditionally used in shamanic rituals.
* [[Nicotiana sylvestris|N. sylvestris]] – woodland tobacco, grown as an ornamental plant for its large, fragrant flowers.
* [[Nicotiana alata|N. alata]] – winged tobacco, also grown as an ornamental plant.


== Uses ==
==Distribution and habitat==
'''Nicotiana''' plants are cultivated for many purposes. N. tabacum is the most commonly grown species and is used for the production of [[tobacco]] products. Some species, like N. sylvestris and N. alata, are grown as ornamental plants for their attractive and fragrant flowers. Certain indigenous cultures have traditionally used N. rustica in shamanic rituals.
''Nicotiana'' species are found in a variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. They are native to the Americas, with a few species in Australia, southwest Africa, and the South Pacific. The plants are adaptable and can grow in a range of soil types and climates.


== Cultivation ==
==Cultivation and uses==
'''Nicotiana''' plants are generally easy to grow and are often found in gardens. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are propagated by seed, which can be sown directly in the garden or started indoors and transplanted outside after the last frost.
[[File:Nicotiana_sylvestris_Prague_2013_3.jpg|thumb|right|''Nicotiana sylvestris'']]
''Nicotiana'' species are cultivated for various purposes. ''Nicotiana tabacum'' is grown for its leaves, which are processed to produce tobacco products. Other species, such as ''Nicotiana alata'' and ''Nicotiana sylvestris'', are popular as ornamental plants due to their attractive flowers and pleasant fragrance.


== See also ==
==Ecological interactions==
[[File:Manduca_sexta_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_104_Dos_Amates_Catemaco_VeraCruz_Mexico_female_dorsal.jpg|thumb|left|''Manduca sexta'', a pollinator of ''Nicotiana'']]
''Nicotiana'' plants have evolved various ecological interactions with insects. The flowers are adapted to be pollinated by moths, such as the ''[[Manduca sexta]]'', which are attracted by the scent and nectar. However, the plants also produce alkaloids, such as nicotine, which serve as a defense mechanism against herbivores.
 
==Species==
There are over 60 species of ''Nicotiana''. Some of the notable species include:
* ''[[Nicotiana tabacum]]'' - cultivated tobacco
* ''[[Nicotiana rustica]]'' - Aztec tobacco
* ''[[Nicotiana alata]]'' - jasmine tobacco
* ''[[Nicotiana sylvestris]]'' - woodland tobacco
* ''[[Nicotiana langsdorffii]]'' - Langsdorff's tobacco
* ''[[Nicotiana obtusifolia]]'' - desert tobacco
 
==Pests and diseases==
[[File:The_tobacco_beetle_(Page_3)_BHL41830187.jpg|thumb|right|Tobacco beetle]]
''Nicotiana'' plants are susceptible to various pests and diseases. The tobacco beetle (''Lasioderma serricorne'') is a common pest that can damage stored tobacco products. Fungal diseases, such as black shank and blue mold, can also affect tobacco crops.
 
==Related pages==
* [[Tobacco]]
* [[Tobacco]]
* [[Solanaceae]]
* [[Solanaceae]]
* [[Manduca sexta]]


[[Category:Flora of the Americas]]
[[Category:Nicotiana|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of South Africa]]
[[Category:Flora of the South Pacific]]
[[Category:Solanaceae]]
[[Category:Solanaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Smoking]]
 
{{stub}}
<gallery>
File:Tabak_9290019.JPG|Nicotiana
File:Tobacco_blossom_1580.jpg|Nicotiana
File:The_tobacco_beetle_(Page_3)_BHL41830187.jpg|Nicotiana
File:Manduca_sexta_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_104_Dos_Amates_Catemaco_VeraCruz_Mexico_female_dorsal.jpg|Nicotiana
File:Nicotiana_sylvestris_Prague_2013_3.jpg|Nicotiana
File:Nicotiana_alata.jpg|Nicotiana
File:Nicotiana_langsdorfii_20070810-1226-74.jpg|Nicotiana
File:Nicotiana_obtusifolia_flower.jpg|Nicotiana
File:Nicotinana_alata0.jpg|Nicotiana
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Tobacco_blossom_1580.jpg|Nicotiana
File:The_tobacco_beetle_(Page_3)_BHL41830187.jpg|The tobacco beetle
File:Manduca_sexta_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_104_Dos_Amates_Catemaco_VeraCruz_Mexico_female_dorsal.jpg|Manduca sexta dorsal view
File:Nicotiana_sylvestris_Prague_2013_3.jpg|Nicotiana sylvestris in Prague
File:Nicotiana_alata.jpg|Nicotiana alata
File:Nicotiana_langsdorfii_20070810-1226-74.jpg|Nicotiana langsdorfii
File:Nicotiana_obtusifolia_flower.jpg|Nicotiana obtusifolia flower
File:Nicotinana_alata0.jpg|Nicotiana
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 11:01, 23 March 2025

Genus of plants in the nightshade family



Nicotiana is a genus of herbaceous plants and shrubs in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The genus is native to the Americas, Australia, southwest Africa, and the South Pacific. Several species of Nicotiana are cultivated as ornamental garden plants. The most well-known species, Nicotiana tabacum, is the primary source of tobacco for smoking and other uses.

Description[edit]

Nicotiana blossom

Nicotiana species are typically annual or perennial herbs, but some species can grow as shrubs. The plants have large, simple leaves and tubular flowers that can be white, pink, red, or green. The flowers are often fragrant, especially at night, to attract pollinators such as moths.

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Nicotiana species are found in a variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. They are native to the Americas, with a few species in Australia, southwest Africa, and the South Pacific. The plants are adaptable and can grow in a range of soil types and climates.

Cultivation and uses[edit]

Nicotiana sylvestris

Nicotiana species are cultivated for various purposes. Nicotiana tabacum is grown for its leaves, which are processed to produce tobacco products. Other species, such as Nicotiana alata and Nicotiana sylvestris, are popular as ornamental plants due to their attractive flowers and pleasant fragrance.

Ecological interactions[edit]

Manduca sexta, a pollinator of Nicotiana

Nicotiana plants have evolved various ecological interactions with insects. The flowers are adapted to be pollinated by moths, such as the Manduca sexta, which are attracted by the scent and nectar. However, the plants also produce alkaloids, such as nicotine, which serve as a defense mechanism against herbivores.

Species[edit]

There are over 60 species of Nicotiana. Some of the notable species include:

Pests and diseases[edit]

Tobacco beetle

Nicotiana plants are susceptible to various pests and diseases. The tobacco beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) is a common pest that can damage stored tobacco products. Fungal diseases, such as black shank and blue mold, can also affect tobacco crops.

Related pages[edit]