trade
search plant database and seed store
Plant Informational Database

Wild Tobacco

Acnistus arborescens

a.k.a. Gallinero

Medium sized shrubby tree with soft cork-like bark. Small flowers are followed by little orange tomato-like fruits. Plant is used for its anti-cancer properties.

Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

bannerSmall or medium sized shrubby tree to 10-20ft. Small orange fruits are very popular with birds, but have little taste and may not be palatable for humans. Despite its name, it does not contain any nicotine compounds. The common name Wild Tobacco is a misnomer.

Hardiness

Subtropical, will survive brief frosts.

Growing Environment

N/A

Propagation

By seed, cuttings.

Uses

Plant contains Withaferin A and Withacnistin, both having anti-tumor properties. Extracts from this plant have historically been used by natives as an herbal treatment for cancer. Can also be used as a diuretic.

Native Range

Native to Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Additional Pictures

banner banner banner

Related Species

Solanaceae  
Acnistus arborescens
Wild Tobacco
Brugmansia arborea
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia aurea
Golden Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia candida
White Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia sanguinea
Red Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia suaveolens
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia versicolor
Orange Angel's Trumpet
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum exile
Cobincho Pepper
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum galapagoense
Galapagos Island Pepper
Capsicum praetermissum
Cumari
Capsicum rhomboideum
Capsicum rhomboideum
Cyphomandra abutiloides
Dwarf Tamarillo
Cyphomandra betacea
Tree Tomato
Datura inoxia
Thorn Apple
Datura metel
Double Purple Datura
Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis)
Mini Angel's Trumpet
Iochroma cyaneum
Violet Churcu
Iochroma fuchsioides
Red Iochroma
Iochroma grandiflora
Giant Iochroma
Jaltomata procumbens
Jaltomato
Lycopersicon melanocarpa
Lycopersicon melanocarpa
Lycopersicon skorospelka
Lycopersicon skorospelka
Nicotiana glauca
Tree Tobacco
Physalis alkekengi
Chinese Lantern
Physalis angulata
Mullaca
Physalis costomatl
Cotztomatl
Physalis ixocarpa
Tomatillo
Physalis minima
Sunberry
Physalis peruviana
Cape Gooseberry
Physalis pruinosa
Ground Cherry
Solanum aviculare
Kangaroo Apple
Solanum burbankii
Wonderberry
Solanum caripense
Tzimbalo
Solanum chessmanii
Galapagos Island Tomato
Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet
Solanum hispidum
Giant Devil's Fig
Solanum lycocarpum
Fruit for Wolves
Solanum macrocarpon
Gbogname
Solanum mammosum
Nipple Fruit
Solanum melanocerasum
Garden Huckleberry
Solanum muricatum
Pepino
Solanum pseudolulo
Pseudolulo
Solanum quitoense
Naranjilla
Solanum sessiliflorum
Cocona
Solanum uporo
Cannibal's Tomato
Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha