Scientific Family
Solanaceae
Synonyms
Nicotiana trigonophylla
Other common names
coyote tobacco
tobacco plant
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
To 3 feet
Riparian
No
A small, bushy plant with white tubular flowers loosely clustered at the top of the leafy stems.
Biennial or perennial, woody base; to 3 feet tall; stems erect, sometimes branching; herbage sticky, hairy. Sepals about equaling the capsule, flowers white or greenish-white, tubular, in clusters. Upper leaves clasping, lower leaves stemmed.
Habitat
Along washes, rocky slopes, canyons, base of rocky slopes and creosote bushes. Usually much lower than 6900 feet.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
6900
Flower Characteristics
The tubular white flowers are 1/2 to 1 inch long with 5 blunted spreading lobes. They are in a loosely branched cluster at the top of
the stems. May flower year round at lower elevations.
Flower color
White or greenish-white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
January
Last bloom month
December
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
The oval leaves and stems are 3/4 to 4 inches long and are both hairy and sticky. Lower leaves with stems and upper leaves clasping.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The oblong capsule is 1/3 to 1/2 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green to brown
Many tiny dark reddish-brown seeds.