Nicotiana Paniculata

Nicotiana paniculata is a tall, small-flowered tobacco native to western Peru. Broad, softly textured leaves support branching summer panicles of numerous slender greenish-white to cream tubular flowers, creating a loose, graceful display above the foliage. The species is historically important as one of the parents of Nicotiana rustica, the powerful Aztec tobacco, and therefore has unusual interest for plant breeders and collectors. Grown as a tender annual in Britain, it enjoys warmth and shelter and should be handled cautiously because all parts contain toxic nicotine alkaloids.