Re: Nicotiana glauca: some cautions

---

• To: m*@ucdavis.edu
• Subject: Re: Nicotiana glauca: some cautions
• From: c*@eddy.u-net.com (Celia Eddy)
• Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 19:26:36 GMT
• References: <Pine.LNX.3.95.971216171137.12040A-100000@hub.fern.com>

On Tue, 16 Dec 1997 17:17:59 -0800 (PST), Kay Lancaster wrote:

>As far as I know, N. glauca always has that greenish yellow flower color.
>It's also quite toxic; there have been several deaths from ingestion
>(the nicotine content is very high).  In addition, the California Exotic
>Plant Pest Council of The Nature Conservancy has it on their "Exotic
>Pest Plants of Greatest Concern" list... in the same rating category
>as canada thistle.
>
>
Kay: Many thanks for your note. 

Goodspeed was quite clear about the fact that he had collected and was
(late 50s/early 60s) growing red and even maroon forms of N. glauca so
they certainly did/do exist. On the other hand, if the plant has
become a noxious weed in California, I daresay the U. of Cal. is not
too keen to be reminded of its historic links with it, in yellow,
green, red, maroon or even purple-&-pink-spotted forms! Certainly I
got no reply when I asked the Bot. Garden if they still grew
Goodspeed's red and maroon forms. 

I can't imagine it becoming an Exotic Pest Plant in the U.K. Difficult
enough to get it to do more than merely survive. Even more diffciult
to make it look as though it's actually flourishing. Certainly it's
never shown any sign of self-sowing for me. Has anyone else in the
U.K. (or elsewhere in Europe) ever known it do so?

I'm always amazed at how many plants turn out to be
toxic/hallucinogenic (or more usually both) when you investigate. For
instance, how many folks in the UK and Ireland know that that pretty
shrub, so common in mild moist gardens, with holly-like leaves and red
tubular flowers, Desfontainea spinosa, is one of the most
feared/revered of S. American hallucinogens? And no, before you ask, I
don't know which bit or bits or how you prepare it or them.

Hope all Medit-Planters have a completely non-toxic festive season -
and one that's hallucinogenic only in ways you approve and control!

Tim Longville
Celia Eddy
celia@eddy.u-net.com

• Follow-Ups:
  • New weird Nicotiana - N. mutabilis
    • From: "R. Beer" <bbeer@u.washington.edu>

• References:
  • Nicotiana glauca: some cautions
    • From: K* L* &*

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