The tobacco plant , Nicotiana tabacum

🌱🌸TOXIC TOBACCO 🌱

🌸🌱The tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) is a herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial from the family Solanaceae, native to tropical and subtropical America. In the early history of the plant, it was initially considered a decorative plant, then a panacea, before it became a common snuff and tobacco plant. Its extract has been reported to be extremely toxic to even being used as a murder poison.It is now commercially cultivated worldwide for the nicotine, used in preparation of insect repellents and cigarettes.

🌸🌱The plant grows from 1 to 3 metres high and is sticky hairy on all parts. The stems are thick and not very branched. The simple ovate leaves have entire margins.Funnel shaped light pink, fragrant flowers are produced in clusters. These mature into ellipsoid capsules, about 2cm long, that dehisce to release 2000-5000 small round seeds. 

🌸🌱All parts of the plant, except the seeds, contain nicotine.The nicotine extracted from leaves is used as an insect repellent. The leaves are harvested and dried for the preparation of snuff and cigarettes.

References 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotiana_tabacum

Reference 

https://www.facebook.com/myplantdiaries?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Plants of Singapore