Family: Solanaceae
Acnistus arborescens (wild tobacco, gallinero) is a fast-growing shrub or small tree in the nightshade family, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It typically grows up to 6 m tall with multiple stems, soft corky bark, and large lance-shaped leaves. The plant produces clusters of small, bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers that are pollinated by insects and sometimes hummingbirds. Bright yellow to orange berries follow, which are eaten and dispersed by birds and bats. It thrives in disturbed sites such as roadsides, landslides, pastures, and secondary forests, and is most successful in full or partial sun. With its ability to produce millions of seeds per kilogram and to propagate vegetatively by layering, A. arborescens shows several traits associated with weediness, yet it is not currently documented as invasive outside its native range.
Beyond its ecological adaptability, Acnistus arborescens is valued for both ornamental and medicinal purposes. Its showy flowers and golden fruit clusters attract wildlife, and its corky bark provides habitat for epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads. Traditional medicine has made use of the plant for liver ailments, as a diuretic, and as an antitumor treatment, and modern research has identified bioactive compounds with potential cytotoxic properties. In landscaping and agroforestry, it can serve as a fast-establishing living fence, shade source, or ornamental feature. While its usefulness is recognized, its rapid growth and prolific seed production mean it should be monitored carefully to prevent unwanted spread.
High Risk Traits:
- Grows on many soil types
- Spreads by seeds and vegetatively
- Self-fertile (single trees can produce seeds)
- Seeds bird and bat dispersed
Low Risk Traits:
- No records of naturalization or invasiveness
- Shade-intolerant
- Ornamental tree
- Medicinal uses
