Sweet Tobacco
Scientific name: Nicotiana alata Link & Otto
Diagnostic features Erect annual to 1.5m. Leaves with winged petioles, the wings clasping stem. Inflorescence a simple raceme-like cyme. Calyx-lobes c. as long as -tube or somewhat longer. Corolla-tube 50-100mm. Corolla-limb 35-60mm across, lobed 1/2 way or more, white.
Chromosome number: (2n=18).
Habitat Introduced-casual; much grown for ornament and frequent on tips and rough ground.
Distribution Scattered in South Britain; South America.
This species is keyed out on Page 3482 in the Text Key.
Hybrids - Nicotiana x sanderae W. Watson (= Nicotiana alata x Nicotiana forgetiana) is grown in gardens like its parents and similarly occurs as a casual; it is intermediate in all characters, with a range of flower colours. |