Nicotiana obtusifolia
Desert Tobacco
Herbaceous perennial plant, short-lived but reseeds readily. White flowers can occur any time of year depending on the temperature. This plant is covered with glandular hairs, making it sticky to the touch and giving it a pungent scent.
Full to part sun, moderate water, hardy to probably at least 10°F.
The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Larval food plant for several moths: five spotted hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata), tobacco hornworm moth (Manduca sexta), tobacco budworm moth (Heliothis virescens), and several crambid moths (family Crambidae).
Poultice of the leaves applied to cuts, bruises, swellings, and other wounds; smoke is blown into the ear to treat earaches; also used as chew, smoked, and used ceremonially. The leaves are mild and peppery when smoked.
Nicotiana is named for Jean Nicot (1530-1600), the French ambassador to Portugal responsible for introducing tobacco to France in 1560; obtusifolia means obtuse or blunt leaved.
Found in canyons, at the base of rocky slopes, and along washes; below 6,000 ft. in southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; south into southern Mexico.
Flower detail, showing the glandular nature of the plant. Photo by Don Rideout, iNaturalist
Very typical habitat for this species. Photo by amscarff on iNaturalist
Butterfly feeding on nectar of plant. Photo by Wendy McCrady, iNaturalist