Wild Tobacco (Acnistus arborescens) (Linnaeus, 1756) |
Synonyms: Iochroma arborescens, Atropa arborescens, Acnistus aggregatus, Acnistus benthamii, Acnistus campanulatus, Acnistus cauliflorus, Acnistus cerasus, Acnistus floccosus, Acnistus floribundus, Acnistus geminifolius, Acnistus grandiflorus, Acnistus guayaquilensis, Acnistus lehmannii, Acnistus macrophyllus, Acnistus miersii, Acnistus plumieri, Acnistus pringlei, Acnistus punctatus, Acnistus ramiflorus, Acnistus sideroxyloides, Acnistus virgatus, Atropa arborea, Atropa sideroxyloides, Atropa solanacea , Brachistus oblongifolius, Brachistus physocalycius, Brachistus riparius, Capsicum oblongifolium, Cestrum campanulatum, Cestrum cauliflorum, Cestrum cauliflorum, Cestrum kohauti, Cestrum macrostemon , Dunalia arborescens, Dunalia campanulata, Dunalia macrophylla, Ephaiola odorata, Eplateia arborescens, Fregirardia riparia, Lycium aggregatum, Lycium arborescens, Lycium grandifolium, Lycium guayaquilense, Lycium macrophyllum, Pederlea aggregate, Pederlea arborescens, Pederlea cestroides, gallinero, mata-gallina |
Acnistus arborescens (or Iochroma arborescens) is native to Central and South America (to Peru and southern Brazil), Trinidad, and the Antilles (excluding Cuba). It grows in moist tropical forests, e.g., in clearings and at forest edges; at 30-2,000 m. Shrub or small tree up to 10 meters in height. Leaves are alternate, simple, elliptical, 15-30 cm long, pubescent; margins entire or slightly wavy. Flowers are white, tubular, fragrant, arranged in cauliflorous clusters. Fruit is bright orange, ca. 1 cm in diameter. A. arborescens flowers throughout the year.