Tobacco (scientific name: Nicotiana tabacum? L) It is an annual or limited perennial herb of Nicotiana of Solanaceae, all of which are glandular hairs; The roots are thick. The stem is 0.7-2 meters high and the base is slightly lignified. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, lanceolate, oblong or ovoid, the top is gradually sharp, and the base is gradually narrowed until the stem is ear-shaped and half-embracing.

Inflorescence terminal, conical, flowery; Pedicel 5-20 mm long. Capsule ovoid or oblong, approximately equal to persistent calyx. Seeds round or broadly oblong, about 0.5 mm in diameter. , brown. Flowers and fruits in summer and autumn.

Native to South America. China is widely cultivated in northern and southern provinces. Tobacco is a thermophilic crop and is sensitive to temperature. Different temperature conditions have great influence on the quality and yield of tobacco. The temperature requirement of high-quality tobacco leaves in the growth period is lower in the early stage and higher in the later stage.

Botanical history

Native Americans had been planting and using tobacco for thousands of years before European colonists arrived in America. According to textual research, the earliest evidence of human use of tobacco can be found in the relief of a temple in Harpas, Mexico in 432 AD. This relief shows the scene of Maya blowing smoke with a pipe during sacrifice. In addition, archaeologists have discovered tobacco seeds 3,500 years ago in South America.

Prove that human beings had the behavior of growing tobacco at that time. According to many documents, Native Americans regard tobacco as a panacea, which can be used to treat various diseases, such as cold, headache, toothache, trauma, burns, abscess ulceration, anesthesia, tooth whitening and anti-fatigue. It is also called "holy medicine" because it can cure desperate diseases.

At that time, the way to use tobacco was to breathe the smell of fresh tobacco, smoke it through the nostrils after lighting it, grind dry tobacco and apply it to the affected area alone or mixed with salt and lime, chew tobacco and rub the inside of the mouth, and make it into a torch for smoking and baking.

In view of the special contribution of tobacco to Indian health, they often hang tobacco on ships near the island to show their respect, and smoke as part of the solemn ceremony during worship and negotiation.