A Love Note to Nicotiana Rustica or Sacred Tobacco

 

There's a community garden behind the building I live in that I've walked through for the last ten years. The plots aren't expensive but there's now a waiting list. So I live vicariously through the neighbors who garden at the Oak Street Community Garden.  

It's been cool to see the varieties of plants grown by each person but also cool to see ongoing projects done by the community themselves, like the medicinal mushrooms blocks and the Hop plants along the fence. 

The first time I met Nicotiana Rustica was here, in this garden. She stopped me in my tracks. The wee yellow twirling trumpet flowers felt familiar to me though I didn't even know her name. The next night I saw the gardener who owned the plot they were in. She introduced me to Nicotiana Rustica.

Other names for this plant include Sacred Tobacco, Aztec Tobacco, Strong Tobacco, and Mapacho to name a few. Names vary based on location and culture.

That fall I pinched a few seed pods off of that same plant and planted them soon after. Now, she's a houseplant in every light source in my apartment. I'm amazed how easily and often they all flower regardless of size, health, or hours of light. And behind each flower is a pod full of seeds. 

If seed creation is the end-goal of all plant life -- and I believe that it is -- then Nic and the other plants who also flower with gusto know something we don't know though studies are slowly showing nicotine's benefit for the brain.

Nicotine is neuroprotective. Read "The Hidden Healing Power of Nicotine" in Psychology Today.

Oddly, I grew up hating cigarettes and never once stepped foot in the smoking area of my high school! Today, I collect and grow tobacco plant varieties. I believe that all varieties of Tobacco plants are spiritually protective and who doesn't love flowers in mid-winter!?

I've now collected:

Ontario Light Tobacco
Traditional Tobacco (slightly different shaped leaves & more nicotine)
Sacred or Aztec Tobacco (very high in nicotine, used in ceremony)

Interested in getting seeds?  If you're in Canada go to Richter's Herbs where they offer four varieties.

                                                                                

This is an extraordinary example of Aztec Tobacco.  The seed fell into a pot when I transplanted the Tamarind into a bigger container and this is what grew with vigor!

A few years ago they realized that in every seed pod or seed cluster, there are some that are genetically to others.  I think this is one of those.  

Thank you Creator!