[David Dickinson]

It is a plant I have seen both in the north and south of Italy, always growing out of walls. Always very long stems but little leaf cover. Does anybody grow it? Is it better, fuller, when it has soil to grow in or is it always so scrawny? I took seeds just in case. Apologies if I am under-rating anybody's favourite plant. Perhaps I shouldn't be so unkind to it. After all, if it can survive full summer heat in Lecce without any water and only a dry stone wall for its roots, it has to be tough.

[Jamus]

Nicotiana glauca. Does well here in Adelaide too.

[David Dickinson]

Thanks Jamus. It looks much healthier in the photos I have just looked at on the internet than each time I've seen it hanging for dear life in a wall. Wondering whether to try it in a pot on my balcony but has the potential to be invasive. It certainly produces masses of seed. Uhhm??? I'll think about it.

Thanks again

[Jamus]

Very invasive weed here in South Australia but it's confined to rocky dry places mostly and doesn't seem to spread into areas with good soil and more rainfall. I like it.

[John J]

It is naturalised here in Cyprus too, David, growing by roadsides and in waste ground all over the island. It can grow quite tall, 5/6 metres or more in the right conditions. It has acquired the local name of Yiatros (Doctor) due to the haemostatic and antiseptic properties of its leaves.

[Joanna Savage]

Could you smoke it? Is it related to tobacco?

[John J]

It is a member of the Solanaceae family. I hope you aren't in the habit of smoking strange plants, Joanna!

[Charithea]

Joanna your question brought a smile and a fleeting picture of two primary school children attempting to smoke the dried stems of hogweed to imitate the adult males in the family. We never tried the 'yiatrohorto' as we grew up knowing its medicinal use. By the way I have never smoked cigarettes or any other weed since then.

[oron peri]

Could you smoke it? Is it related to tobacco?

I would'nt give it a try,

Nicotiana glauca produces a highly toxic substance calld Anabasine which is far more toxic than Nicotine

[David Dickinson]

Against my better judgement I think I am going to give it a try - growing it, that is. If I let it grow upwards amongst other things it shouldn't look too spindly and it might give me a little colour in summer. It would be hard for it to become invasive from my balcony as there is only a terrace below. No direct contact with streets or gardens.

[oron peri]

It would be hard for it to become invasive from my balcony as there is only a terrace below. No direct contact with streets or gardens.

David,
Maybe this would make you change your mind...

[David Dickinson]

Maybe you are right Oron. This is how I am used to seeing it in Italy and I wouldn't want the lady below to have this plant springing up between the paving on her terrace albeit that there is no soil below her only a communal car park. I think I'll stick to Kennedias instead!