Bransford, W.D. Mrs., NPIN

Family: Solanaceae (Potato Family)

Synonym(s):

Duration: Perennial

Habit: Shrub

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Woody, evergreen shrub to 3 metres high with erect sparsely branched stems. Long tubular yellow flowers. Fruit is a capsule, produces many seeds that are dispersed by wind and water.

History: Introduced as an ornamental as early as 1864 in Hawaii.

Biology & Spread: Tree tobacco is a prolific seed producer creating 10,000-1,000,000 seeds/year and seed set close to 100%. Plants are self compatible and are fertilized by moths and hummingbirds.

Ecological Threat: Drought resistant, tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. Outcompetes native vegetation often forming monospecific stands. Fatalities have been reported in humans, livestock and other animals ingesting N. glauca.

US Habitat: Abundant in waste places, old walls, dry river beds, roadsides and along river banks.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: S. Bolivia, n. Argentina

US States: AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, MD, NJ, NM, NV, OH, TX

Resembles/Alternatives:

Management: Physical/Mechanical: Hand pulling can remove seedlings and small saplings. For larger more established shrubs, a weed wrench or other woody weed extractor should be used. Care must be taken to remove the entire crown to prevent re-sprouting. Cutting before flowering is also effective at reducing seed production; however, re-sprouting is common. Cutting at the end of the dry season (if applicable) can help prevent re-sprouting. Cutting should also be combined with herbicide treatment, or should be repeated over a number of years.

Biological: A combination of herbicide and the use of Malabris aculeata as a biological control agent has been recommended for the control of N. glauca.

Chemical: Herbicides such as triclopyr, imazapyr or glyphosate are effective for controlling N. glauca (DiTomaso et al., 2013). Large plants should be cut, and the stump treated with herbicide; 2,4,5-T.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

DiTomaso, J.M., Kyser, G.B., Oneto, S.R., Wilson, R.G., Orloff, S.B., Anderson, L.W., Wright, S.D., Roncoroni, J.A., Miller, T.L., Prather, T.S., Ransom, C., Beck, K.G., Duncan, C., Wilson, K.A., Mann, J.J., 2013. Weed control in natural areas in the Western United States.Davis, California, USA: Weed Research and Information Center, University of California. 544 pp.

Florentine, S.K., Weller, S., Graz, P.F., Westbrooke, M., Florentine, A., Javaid, M., Fernando, N., Chauhan, B.S., Dowling, K., 2016. Influence of selected environmental factors on seed germination and seedling survival of the arid zone invasive species tobacco bush (Nicotiana glauca R. Graham).Rangeland Journal, 38(4) 417-425.

Wilken D., Hannah L. 1998; Nicotiana glauca R. Graham (Solanaceae) Tree Tobacco. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Publication.

Data Source

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.36324

Last Updated: 2024-02-09 by ARMO, TISI