Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) is in the nightshade family family (Solanaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,444 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to December, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Tree Tobacco: observations by month (U.S.)
About Tree Tobacco
Nicotiana glauca is a species of wild tobacco known by the common name tree tobacco. Its leaves are attached to the stalk by petioles (many other Nicotiana species have sessile leaves), and its leaves and stems are neither pubescent nor sticky like Nicotiana tabacum. It resembles Cestrum parqui but differs in the form of leaves and fusion of the outer floral parts. It grows to heights of more than two meters.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Tree Tobacco by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,849 | April | Feb–Dec |
| Texas | 266 | April | Jan–May |
| Arizona | 208 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Hawaii | 61 | April | Mar–Sep |
| Nevada | 60 | November | Oct–Dec |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (nightshade family)
Carolina horsenettle
Sacred Datura
Bittersweet Nightshade
Silverleaf Nightshade
Purple Groundcherry
Thickleaf Groundcherry
Desert Tobacco
Bluewitch Nightshade
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Tree Tobacco?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from February to December.
Where is Tree Tobacco most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Arizona.