Nicotiana suaveolens (Australian tobacco)

Botanical name

Nicotiana suaveolens

Other names

Australian tobacco, Austral tobacco, Sweet-scented tobacco, Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana exigua

Genus

Nicotiana Nicotiana

Species

N. suaveolens - N. suaveolens is a rosette-forming, half-hardy annual or biennial with elliptic to lance-shaped, variably hairy, mid-green leaves and upright, branching, leafy stems bearing open panicles of fragrant, long-tubed, often pink-flushed, white flowers from midsummer to early autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant and best enjoyed on autumn evenings.

Habit

Rosette, Erect flower stem

Toxicity

Severe discomfort if ingested. Contact with foliage may irritate skin.

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Colour

Flower

Flushed pink, White in Summer; White, Flushed pink in Autumn

Foliage

Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse whitefly , Leafhoppers , Aphids , Slugs

Specific diseases

Grey mould , Virus

General care

Propagation

Indoors or under glass, surface sow at 18C from late winter to mid-springl.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Nicotiana suaveolens (Australian tobacco) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.45m after 1 year.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist free-draining soil in a sheltered position in sun or partial shade. Benefits from rotted organic matter added to the soil before planting.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Nicotiana suaveolens (Australian tobacco)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Nicotiana suaveolens (Australian tobacco)

Common pest name

; Black wood of grapevine; Female sterility of tobacco; Fruit woodiness of tomato; Maize Redness; Mal azul of tomato; Metabolbur; Metastolbur; Parastolbur; Purple top of potato; Stolbur of potato; Stolbur of tobacco; Stolbur of tomato

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma solani

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Phytoplasma which potentially affects a wide host range; determined by the feeding behaviour of vectors. First UK outbreak in 2014; on strawberry; a host not specifically regulated in EU legislation. This legislation should be reviewed to take account of this and other developments.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Nicotiana suaveolens (Australian tobacco)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/