Nicotiana
Nicotiana glauca · Solanaceae
How it looks
Nicotiana is a plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) with yellow trumpet-shaped flowers gathered at the branch tips. The leaves are thick, gray-green, and oval, and the stem grows straight to 3-10 ft (1-3 m). In the wild it grows like a small tree, and its leaves and flowers have a strong tobacco scent.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
All parts of Nicotiana (Tree Tobacco) contain anabasine and nicotine; even a small amount can cause heavy drooling, agitation, and depression. This can progress to seizures and cardiac arrest, so immediate veterinary care is needed.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Nicotiana rarely leads to serious trouble, but its solanine-like alkaloids can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Hypersalivation, gastrointestinal upset, depression
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Nicotiana glauca
- Common name
- Nicotiana
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Anabasine, Nicotine
- Source
- ASPCA
