Tree Tobacco
Nicotianna glauca
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Cynanthus latirostris
Watercolor from live specimen.
FLOWERS:
Groups of pale yellow, tubular flowers appear nearly year-round at the ends of
branches and are attractive to hummingbirds.
TREE:1 to 4 m. A short-lived tree with little wood. Often produces new
shoots from underground runners.
RANGE: Widespread and common on river flood plains and in
human-disturbed habitats. Probably introduced from tropical America many
generations ago.
LEAVES: Large leaves with glaucus (smooth) and waxy texture. The
leaves contain high concentration of nicotine.
FRUIT: Dry capsules with many seeds.
UNARMED Plant is without thorns, but is likely toxic to many potential plant-eaters.
Photographed near Safford, Arizona by Norm.