squeezyjohn
Well-Known Member
Further to posting an old link I was aware of about the history of growing tobacco in my area of England (mainly in the 1600s - but documented as continuing possibly up until the year 1900 illegally) - I had a look online for more about this interesting history of tobacco. And I have found that there is anecdotal evidence of people seeing wild tobacco plants as recently as 1998 in that area.
My interest is definitely piqued by this that there might exist a residual pool of plants from this historical planting in the fields and hedgerows of Gloucestershire ... and I think I might go plant hunting in the next few weeks.
The information I have read stated that the varieties that the first Gloucestershire growers planted in the 1600s was a rustica tobacco - and as such it was very easy to tell the difference between legally imported N.Tabacum from the colony in Virginia and the home-grown illegal rustica. Now knowing the growing habit of rustica, I am absolutely convinced that there's a good possibility that it could have easily self-seeded and grown wild over that length of time given how hardy and prolific it is. If it does still exist ... it would have self-selected and presumably become far more adapted to the British climate over 500 years.
Most of my information was gleaned from this excellent amateur historical website:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Colin/Misc/Tobacco/TobaccoIndex.html
I think as now would be a good time to identify and spot tobacco growing wild ... I may have a bit of a seed-hunting expedition in the next few weeks. Starting with the footpath which goes between the villages of Hailes and Farmcote - less than 40 miles from my house!
My interest is definitely piqued by this that there might exist a residual pool of plants from this historical planting in the fields and hedgerows of Gloucestershire ... and I think I might go plant hunting in the next few weeks.
The information I have read stated that the varieties that the first Gloucestershire growers planted in the 1600s was a rustica tobacco - and as such it was very easy to tell the difference between legally imported N.Tabacum from the colony in Virginia and the home-grown illegal rustica. Now knowing the growing habit of rustica, I am absolutely convinced that there's a good possibility that it could have easily self-seeded and grown wild over that length of time given how hardy and prolific it is. If it does still exist ... it would have self-selected and presumably become far more adapted to the British climate over 500 years.
Most of my information was gleaned from this excellent amateur historical website:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Colin/Misc/Tobacco/TobaccoIndex.html
I think as now would be a good time to identify and spot tobacco growing wild ... I may have a bit of a seed-hunting expedition in the next few weeks. Starting with the footpath which goes between the villages of Hailes and Farmcote - less than 40 miles from my house!