Tobacco Plant and Growth Tobacco belongs to the nightshade family Solanaceae. Tobacco belongs to the genus Nicotiana , which is named for Jean Nicot, who was the French ambassador to Portugal from 1559 to 1561. It was he who first sent tobacco to the king of France. From France its use spread to the rest of Europe. A South American species, N. tabacum, is the source for most of today's commercial varieties.
Tobacco contains nicotine and other alkaloids.
To a great extent, this accounts for the worldwide appeal and use of tobacco products. As tobacco production expanded around the world, many varieties developed. Some of the best known are Turkish, Burley, Cuban, Maryland, Orinoco, Pryor, Perique, and Latakia. Tobacco seeds are black and extremely tiny. One mature plant has a potential yield of a million seeds.