Market Farming

[Matt Cheselka <cheselka AT theriver.com>]

On Wed, 4 Aug 2004, John Cowan wrote:

> Hard to tell without a close up of the leaves but the yellow tubular flower
> at the base makes me think it is "Tree Tobacco", native to mid-elevations in
> Arizona. A tincture of the leaves might make a good insecticide for aphids
> and thrips.

Awesome, John.  Thanks.  Someone else told me that it was part of the
tobacco family, but I wanted to check with the experts!  ;)  Now I know 
it's formal name: nicotiana glauca.  Neato!

Funny thing about the web:  one site says:

"It is highly valued for its chewing, smoking and medicinal uses. It is 
said to have only trace nicotine."

while another says:

"Poisoning: burning of the month and intestinal tract, severe diarrhea 
and vomiting, stomach pains, cold sweats irregular heart beat, drowsiness, 
dizziness, convulsions, resiratory failure, and paralysis."

Go figure....

Matt Cheselka
Cosmic Lettuce