Family: Solanaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) is a broadleaf flowering plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is an annual or short-lived perennial herb that can grow several feet tall and is recognized by its large sticky leaves, tubular pink to white flowers, and strong odor. Tobacco has been cultivated for centuries for ceremonial, medicinal, and commercial purposes, primarily for the production of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and other nicotine-containing products. In Hawaiʻi, this species has become naturalized in dry and occasionally mesic disturbed habitats, especially in coastal areas, from sea level to about 140 m elevation. It has been recorded on Laysan and all of the main Hawaiian Islands, with the first documented collection on Hawaiʻi Island dating back to 1825.

Risks & Threats
Although widely cultivated, Nicotiana tabacum possesses traits that raise concerns for tropical island ecosystems. This species is naturalized in Hawaiʻi and is capable of establishing in disturbed coastal and lowland environments where it may compete with native vegetation and contribute to the spread of non-native plant communities. Tobacco produces abundant seeds that can be dispersed by wind, water, human activity, and contaminated soil, allowing it to colonize open habitats quickly. Its tolerance of dry conditions and disturbed sites increases its potential to persist and spread in vulnerable ecosystems. In addition, cultivated and escaped tobacco plants can harbor agricultural pests and plant diseases that may affect nearby crops and native species.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Hawaii
  
• Congeneric weed (N. glauca invasive)
  
• Toxic to animals and humans
  
• Broad climate tolerance (zones 5–11)
  
• Tolerates wide range of soils
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Short generation time (annual)
  
• Prolific tiny seeds

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not shade tolerant
  
• Limited dispersal mechanisms