Description Nicotiana (Fragrant Native Tobacco) Nicotiana is a group of heirloom plants, native to parts of North and South America. The plant that produces tobacco is Nicotiana tabacum. It is native to northeast Argentina and Bolivia and was the source of smoking tobacco grown by the Native Americans. The fragrant, ornamental nicotiana is Nicotiana alata. It is native to Southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina. The nicotianas are named after Jean Nicot, the consul from the King of France to Portugal who presented tobacco that he had obtained from a Belgian merchant in 1560 to the Court of Portugal. The ornamental nicotianas became a popular plant in American cottage gardens during the late 19th century when it began to be appreciated for its lovely fragrance and statuesque habit with abundant drooping trumpet-shaped blossoms. Victorian gardeners prized the plant for their “night-scented” gardens.
