Nicotiana Rustica 'Mop-Cap'

Description

Large compact clusters of chubby, greeny-yellow flowers, have widely flared lips. This flower is an ideal talking point for people searching for new plants, and the common name is a perfect description as it does indeed resemble one of these Victorian caps. In addition it is a very potent variety of tobacco and is also used for entheogenic purposes by South American shamans, as it contains up to nine times more nicotine than common North American smoking varieties such as Nicotiana tabacum. In Russia, it is called "makhorka", and it was smoked before normal tobacco became widely available, and is indeed still sometimes smoked by peasants and farmers. We cannot recommend any of these uses though and sell it as an ornamental plant!

Sowing Advice

For best results, seeds are sown directly into the ground where required in the spring. Alternatively, sow in late winter/early spring in gentle warmth, 15-20 degrees C. Prick out into small 3 inch or 7 cm. pots and plant in final position when the plants are established.

Key Facts