Question

What is this Plant?   First let me say thanks for taking the time! What is this plant?  Is it a weed? I am located in San Jacinto CA in the low desert. It has grown with zero water and is not just beautiful and almost tropical looking for the dessert but it also attracts all the grasshoppers away from my other plants...and just grows more leaves for the hoppers.  I'd like to grow more!

Answer

N. Glauca   Hi Barbara,
I thought I was going to have to get more info, and maybe send this to a taxonomist in CA, but I think I found it.  Nicotiana glauca , or tree tobacco.
Here is a link with info and great pictures.  I'm also sending a picture of a young plant.  Let me know if this isn't it.  We'll know for sure when it blooms.  


http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/treetobacco.html

Thanks,
Susan