Nicotiana obtusifolia
Desert tobacco
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Nicotiana obtusifolia (Desert tobacco) is a native California subshrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by desert habitat and 10-ribbed calyx.
Desert tobacco is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada and desert regions in gravelly or rocky washes and slopes at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces dull white to green-white flowers with a throat 12 to 35 millimeters long, creating a subtle, delicate bloom. Growing with glandular-hairy stems 20 to 100 centimeters tall, often branched from the base with a somewhat woody foundation, it develops an irregular, open structure. Its leaves vary from oblong-obovate in the lower portions to elliptic and narrowly ovate in the upper portions, with the lower leaves having short wing-like petioles. The fruit is a small capsule 8 to 11 millimeters long, containing tiny seeds less than one millimeter in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are desert habitat and 10-ribbed calyx
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky washes, slopes
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles
Outside California: to Utah, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Nicotiana obtusifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Mirabilis: Nicotiana has tubular flowers with visible petals; Mirabilis has petal-like sepals with no true petals.; vs Oxalis: Nicotiana has tubular nightshade flowers; Oxalis has clover-like leaves and 5-petaled flowers.; vs Phytolacca: Nicotiana has tubular flowers in terminal clusters; Phytolacca has tiny flowers in drooping spikes and purple berries.; vs Solanum: Nicotiana has flowers in branched terminal clusters; Solanum has flowers with prominent yellow anther cone.; vs Encelia: Nicotiana has tubular nightshade flowers; Encelia has yellow daisy-like composite flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nicotiana obtusifolia native to California?
Yes. Nicotiana obtusifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nicotiana obtusifolia bloom?
Nicotiana obtusifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Nicotiana obtusifolia grow?
Nicotiana obtusifolia occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Nicotiana obtusifolia belong to?
Nicotiana obtusifolia is in the Solanaceae family, genus Nicotiana.
What habitat does Nicotiana obtusifolia grow in?
Nicotiana obtusifolia grows in Gravelly or rocky washes, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.