Nicotiana benthamiana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nicotiana suaveolens var. cordifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Nicotiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is characterized by a very specific and limited range of occurrence. Its documented geographical distribution is confined solely to the continent of Australia. Within this vast landmass, it can be found specifically in the state of Western Australia. This localized presence suggests that the species may have unique environmental requirements found in that region. Consequently, its habitat appears to be highly restricted to this particular part of the world.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Nicotiana benthamiana is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental progression—from seed germination to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, its biological strategy is centered on rapid growth and efficient reproductive output to ensure the survival of the next generation before the parent plant expires. The life cycle typically begins with germination, followed by a vegetative phase where the plant establishes its root system and develops foliage, eventually transitioning into a reproductive phase marked by the emergence of inflorescences. Once pollination occurs and seeds are matured, the plant reaches the end of its life cycle, depositing its genetic material into the soil to await the next seasonal cycle.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Nicotiana benthamiana is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic dependencies, and is categorized as a self-supporting species rather than a climber. It exhibits a versatile habitat range, being found in aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Nicotiana benthamiana is primarily driven by the production of prolific quantities of small seeds, which serve as the fundamental unit for its dispersal and propagation. Detailed botanical analysis of its reproductive output reveals a highly consistent seed morphology, characterized by an extremely lightweight profile. The seed mass is remarkably uniform across the population, with a mean seed mass recorded at $5 \times 10^{-5}$ g. This consistency is further evidenced by the fact that the maximum and minimum seed mass values are also $5 \times 10^{-5}$ g, indicating a lack of significant variance in individual seed weight. This standardized, minute mass facilitates efficient distribution, allowing the plant to maximize its reproductive potential through high-density seed dispersal.

Seed mass mean:

5e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nicotiana benthamiana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Nature communications
2. Phytochemistry
3. FEBS open bio
4. Plant biotechnology (Tokyo, Japan)

Chemicals

Nicotiana benthamiana has 62 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, GERANIOL, (-)-Deoxypodophyllotoxin, (-)-epipodophyllotoxin, 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one.

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. BMC plant biology

GERANIOL

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. International journal of molecular sciences

(-)-Deoxypodophyllotoxin

1. ACS synthetic biology

(-)-epipodophyllotoxin

1. ACS synthetic biology

1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one

1. BMC plant biology

2,3-Oxidosqualene

1. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE

4-Hydroxyphenyllactate

1. Gene

ABSCISIC ACID

1. PeerJ

Akuammicine

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Anthocyanins

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Medicinal Uses

Nicotiana benthamiana has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cell death, salt stress, Turnip crinkle virus, abiotic stresses, drought.

Most Reported Uses