Unexpected diversity of Australian tobacco species (Nicotiana section Suaveolentes, Solanaceae)

This special issue highlights some of the wonderful species of native Australian tobacco (Nicotiana sect. Suaveolentes). We here present twelve species of this genus, four of which are new to science. Many Nicotiana species have a high ornamental value, and we hope that particularly the rarer Australian species will find a way into horticulture to prevent them from becoming threatened. This would allow maintenance of ex-situ populations, mitigating the effects of changing climate and introduction of invasive species. Tobaccos dispersed into the Australian outback around two million years ago and are now radiating there. It has been clear that they have interesting cytological evolution as well as morphological differences. They appear to have peculiar drought adaptations, which are needed for thin-leaved herbs growing in some of the driest places on the planet.