named after Jean Nicot (c.1530-1600), a French ambassador to Portugal, who sent tobacco seeds and powdered leaves from Lisbon to France. Phylogeny There are around 76 species in the Nicotiana genus, the sole member of the Nicotianeae tribe. Phylogenetic research suggests the following species are closely related: Uses The plant is used for a variety of medicinal purposes and smoked by Native American groups. The Cahuilla people used leaves interchangeably with other tobacco species in hunting rituals and as a poultice to treat swellings, bruises, cuts, wounds, boils, sores, inflamed throat, and swollen glands. It contains the toxic alkaloid anabasine and ingestion of the leaves can be fatal. It is being investigated for use as a biofuel. References External links glauca Flora of southern South America Flora of western South America Tobacco Medicinal plants of South America Energy crops Crops originating from Argentina Crops originating from Brazil Crops originating from Bolivia Crops originating from Chile Crops originating from Ecuador Crops originating from Peru Crops originating from Paraguay Crops originating from Uruguay Crops originating from the Americas Taxa described in 1828 Taxa named by Robert Graham