Tobacco is an herb of the Nicotiana genus, which contains the CNS stimulant nicotine. While many plants in Nicotiana contain nicotine, most commercial tobacco is a cultivar of Nicotiana tabacum. There are also several native & wild tobacco varieties prized by indigenous cultures in the Americas.

If you're looking to find the most prized heirloom tobacco varieties for rolling your own cigars, or if you're looking for something more native & exotic to put in your pipe, you've come to the right place.

All commercially-grown tobacco plants (and most heirloom smoking varieties) are cultivars of N. tabacum:

All other Nicotiana varieties (and nicotine-producing nightshades) fall here. If you want hardy native plants, or rare cultivars prized by indigenous traditions, plant these:

Tobacco doesn't have much use as an edible plant or herb, as the nicotine levels can very quickly make you sick. However, tobacco smoke is sometimes used as a flavoring agent in dishes and barbecue.

Tobacco leaves can also be steeped in liquids like cream, sugar syrup, or alcohol to extract flavor, similar to how tea leaves are used. Extracts made in this way can be added (in moderation) to dishes as well.