Tobacco

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Virginia tobacco
• cultivated tobacco
• Tobacco

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nicotiana tabacum var. lancifolia
• Nicotiana tabacum var. bullosa
• Nicotiana tabacum var. decimalis
• Nicotiana tabacum var. cordata
• Nicotiana tabacum var. loxensis
• Nicotiana crispula
• Nicotiana alipes
• Nicotiana alba
• Nicotiana latissima
• Nicotiana lancifolia
• Nicotiana capensis
• Nicotiana ybarrensis
• Nicotiana tabacum var. fruticosa
• Nicotiana loxensis
• Nicotiana fruticosa var. angustifolia
• Nicotiana macrophylla
• Nicotiana nepalensis
• Nicotiana auriculata
• Nicotiana havanensis
• Nicotiana gigantea
• Nicotiana gracilipes
• Nicotiana caudata
• Nicotiana chinensis
• Nicotiana angustifolia
• Nicotiana guatemalensis
• Nicotiana fruticosa
• Nicotiana frutescens
• Nicotiana virginica
• Nicotiana mexicana var. rubriflora
• Nicotiana tabacum var. angustifolia
• Nicotiana tabacum var. brasiliensis
• Nicotiana tabacum f. fruticosa
• Nicotiana tabacum var. undulata
• Nicotiana tabacum var. latissima
• Nicotiana tabacum var. lingua
• Nicotiana tabacum var. verdon
• Nicotiana tabacum var. serotina
• Nicotiana tabacum var. gracilipes
• Nicotiana tabacum var. attenuata
• Nicotiana tabacum var. pallescens
• Nicotiana tabacum var. alipes
• Nicotiana tabacum convar. latissima
• Nicotiana tabacum var. graeca
• Nicotiana tabacum var. pycnophylla
• Tabacum latissimum
• Nicotiana tabacum var. amesfortensis
• Nicotiana tabacum var. dinophylla
• Tabacum nicotianum
• Nicotiana tabacum var. alata
• Nicotiana tabacum var. chinensis
• Nicotiana tabacum f. attenuata
• Nicotiana tabacum convar. virginica
• Nicotiana mexicana
• Nicotiana fruticosa var. albiflora
• Nicotiana tabacum var. latior
• Nicotiana pilosa
• Nicotiana tabacum var. lanceolata
• Nicotiana tabacum var. gigantea
• Nicotiana tabacum var. nervosa
• Nicotiana sellowii
• Nicotiana sanguinea
• Nicotiana tabacum var. suffruticosa
• Nicotiana petiolata
• Nicotiana petiolaris
• Nicotiana tabacum var. macrophylla

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Nicotiana tabacum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Nicotiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the territories of Denmark and Great Britain. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing within the borders of Austria and Belgium. Furthermore, its range extends into the central regions of Czechia-Slovakia. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse geographical footprint of Nicotiana tabacum across these specific countries.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nicotiana tabacum is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse environments, primarily thriving within anthropic areas (Área Antrópica) where human activity and land management frequently influence its distribution. This species demonstrates a significant vertical distribution capacity, occupying a wide elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 3000 m AMSL. This vast altitudinal gradient allows the plant to persist in various climatic zones, ranging from lowland tropical settings to higher montane elevations.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Nicotiana tabacum are characterized by significant chromosomal variation and complex ploidy levels across different accessions and varieties. The chromosome number within this species is notably diverse, with documented values including 23, 24, 46, 48, and 72. Despite this numerical variation, the plant is primarily identified with a diploid ploidy level, represented by a value of 2. This genetic architecture underpins the plant's physiological complexity and its ability to produce diverse secondary metabolites.

Chromosome number :

23,24,46,48,72

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Nicotiana tabacum is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the species survives unfavorable environmental conditions through the production of seeds, which remain dormant until optimal moisture and temperature levels are achieved. This life strategy allows the plant to rapidly exploit available resources, transitioning quickly from a seedling to a robust, large-leaved vegetative state before dedicating significant energy to the development of terminal inflorescences. Once pollination occurs, the plant directs its remaining metabolic resources into seed maturation, ultimately dying after the seeds are dispersed, thereby ensuring the continuation of the lineage in the next seasonal cycle.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Nicotiana tabacum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This terrestrial plant is independent, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. It is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, exhibiting an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant variability in height, with a minimum height of 0.6 m, a mean height of 1.25 m, and a maximum potential height reaching up to 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.25 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nicotiana tabacum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous and non-succulent morphology, relying on standard nutrient uptake rather than nitrogen fixation or specialized water-storage tissues. Its foliage is arranged in an alternate pattern, featuring elliptic leaf forms that vary significantly in size. Morphological data indicates that leaf length ranges from a minimum of 10 cm to a mean of 20 cm, reaching a maximum of 50 cm. Correspondingly, leaf width fluctuates from a minimum of 5.4 cm to a mean of 12 cm, with a maximum width of 20 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 441 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf density and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

50 cm

Leaf length mean:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

20 cm

Leaf width mean:

12 cm

Leaf width min:

5.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

441 cm²/g

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Nicotiana tabacum is characterized by a specialized flowering period that typically begins in July and concludes in September. The plant produces red flowers that vary in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. These flowers rely on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a dry, dehiscent fruit classified as a capsule. These capsules exhibit moderate dimensions, with a mean length of 1.8 cm (ranging from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm) and a mean width of 1 cm. The resulting seeds are minute, with a mean mass of 9.5e-05 g (ranging from 1e-05 g to 0.00013 g) and a mean length of 0.6 mm (with a maximum of 0.5 mm). The seed volume is highly consistent at 0.048 mm³. Dispersal of the seeds is characterized by an unspecialized syndrome, though it also exhibits anthropochorous tendencies, meaning human activity plays a role in its spread.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

red

Flower length max:

6 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.8 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

0.5 mm

Seed length mean:

0.6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00013 g

Seed mass mean:

9.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.048 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nicotiana tabacum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Journal of parasitology research
3. Parasite epidemiology and control
4. Biomolecules
5. Journal of Asian natural products research

Root

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Chemicals

Nicotiana tabacum has 365 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include nicotine, Flavonoids, Solanesol, Anabasine, LIGNIN.

nicotine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
3. Przeglad lekarski
4. The American journal of clinical nutrition
5. Physiologia plantarum

Flavonoids

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Journal of parasitology research
4. PloS one
5. Frontiers in plant science

Solanesol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of bioscience and bioengineering
3. Scientific reports
4. Biomolecules
5. Frontiers in pharmacology

Anabasine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Physiologia plantarum
3. Scientific reports
4. PloS one

LIGNIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports
3. Molecular plant pathology
4. Plant, cell & environment

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke
2. Physiologia plantarum
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. Scientific reports

STIGMASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant cell reports
3. Planta
4. Molecular plant pathology

4-(METHYLNITROSAMINO)-1-(3-PYRIDYL)-1-BUTANONE

1. Cancer research
2. Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology
3. Journal of toxicology and environmental health

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Science China. Life sciences
2. Plant molecular biology
3. Plant, cell & environment

Anthocyanins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Physiologia plantarum
3. Frontiers in plant science

Activities

Nicotiana tabacum has 632 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Mutagenic, Neuroprotective, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor.

Mutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. The National medical journal of India
3. Nutrition and cancer

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomolecules
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Biomolecules
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Carcinogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. The National medical journal of India

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology

Phytoalexin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of experimental botany

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Nicotiana tabacum has 67 reported investigations on conditions identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include oral cancer, lung cancer, tobacco mosaic virus, cell death, drought.

Oral cancer

1. Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology
2. Carcinogenesis
3. Neoplasma
4. Oral oncology
5. Community dental health

Lung cancer

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology
3. Journal of toxicology and environmental health
4. Bulletin of the Indian Institute of History of Medicine (Hyderabad)

Tobacco mosaic virus

1. Pest management science
2. Natural product research
3. Planta medica
4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Cell death

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Journal of experimental botany
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Drought

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
3. Scientific reports

Parkinson's disease

1. Przeglad lekarski
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Biotic stress

1. Planta
2. The New phytologist

Cancer

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
2. Human vaccines

Heat stress

1. Protoplasma
2. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology

Leishmaniasis

1. Parasite epidemiology and control
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Nicotiana tabacum has 24 reported preparations identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves, Smokeless tobacco products, cell suspension cultures, chemma, chewed.

Leaves

1. Parasitology
2. Preventive veterinary medicine

Smokeless tobacco products

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Cell suspension cultures

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Chemma

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Chewed

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Chloroform extracts

1. Frontiers in veterinary science

Crude extracts

1. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Crude methanolic extract of leaves

1. Journal of parasitology research

Crude methanolic extracts of leaves

1. Journal of parasitology research

Fermentation of endophytic aspergillus fumigatus 0338

1. Pesticide biochemistry and physiology