Rabbit Tobacco from the Smokey Mountains

[AppalachianPipe92]

I'll preface by saying this - I live in the Smoky Mountains of North Georgia (right by North and South Carolina). Appalachian traditions and culture have fascinated me from my childhood hood. I got the Foxfire books as a kid and it unleashed a yearning for tradition within me. I don't know a ton about this plant but realize it may be taboo for those outside of my region. It is a plant used by Native Americans in various forms, later used by the mountain folk of Appalachia.
I've always seen it when driving down the road, or bush hogging the sides of our road and never thought much of it until a conversation I had at work with some "old timers". These guys are in their 60s to late 70s. They told me about how their grandparents and parents would smoke the stuff. They then proceeded to light a small clump and let me smell it and the aroma was just great. Well that was years ago.
Today, a buddy at work who knows I smoke a pipe handed me a bundle and said "Here, smoke it and tell us what ya think". I actually thought this might not be a terrible idea, especially if I'm not inhaling. It makes me think of Deer Tongue, though it's different. It has a smokey, tea-like aroma.
I think I'll process it and then blend it with various leaf I have and experiment to see if it's worth a damn. I think it'd actually taste good with some Bright and Red Virginias, and maybe a pinch of Burley.

Anyways, is anyone else familiar with this plant? Native Americans used it medicinally in various ways. Others smoked it for enjoyed or even medicinal reasons. Just curious if anyone else has ever explored this leaf. I don't think it's anything special, but I'm always curious of new tastes (although this one is nicotine free).



Lots of good reading online about the history of Native American uses.

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Rabbit Tobacco, Wildflower or Distinguished Herb

A couple of summers ago I was on the Greenway with Gill Heywood and Sally Kesler, identifying and labeling wildflowers, one of the favorite activities of the Frogs Eyes. All the members of this informal group of plant lovers are way over my head in knowledge and ability but I keep hanging on...

www.littletennessee.org

 

[Mrs. Pickles]

That looks lovely. The “maple syrup” aroma to the fresh flower sounds great too. I will look forward to reading how it pairs up with your VA and burley.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

That looks lovely. The “maple syrup” aroma to the fresh flower sounds great too. I will look forward to reading how it pairs up with your VA and burley.

I've got an idea for 4 different blends to start with. I actually think a whisper of dark fired would go well with this. Same with the Burley, I think a Burley with nutty notes would do well.
Will update once blended and rested for some time.

 

[dublinpiper90]

Yep, I’ve never had it but I’ve herd bunch of people and my family members has smoked it.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Yep, I’ve never had it but I’ve herd bunch of people and my family members has smoked it.

I've heard similar things from old friends in North Carolina (mostly the western part of the state).
Fingers crossed

 

[dublinpiper90]

I've heard similar things from old friends in North Carolina (mostly the western part of the state).
Fingers crossed

I’m in eastern NC I have yet to try some, I think there use to be a bunch more abundance of it than it is now, on the other hand I have smoked a monkey cigar, which is a seed pod off of a Catalpa tree (if your not familiar with one) they also have some of the best fishing bait the Catawba worm.

 

[MattRVA]

I’m in eastern NC I have yet to try some, I think there use to be a bunch more abundance of it than it is now, on the other hand I have smoked a monkey cigar, which is a seed pod off of a Catalpa tree (if your not familiar with one) they also have some of the best fishing bait the Catawba worm.

We smoked monkey cigars here in Virginia man what a trip…

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Fantastic aroma. It makes me want to steep it more than anything.

 

[trouttimes]

I mixed it with Carter Hall when I was in college in North Georgia to stretch. I was a poor college kid. It did add something like deer tongue does but very different and not as overwhelming as deer tongue.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I mixed it with Carter Hall when I was in college in North Georgia to stretch. I was a poor college kid. It did add something like deer tongue does but very different and not as overwhelming as deer tongue.

That's encouraging. I don't mind deer tongue, but it's also not something I care to smoke. I was hoping this would be different.
Again, for some reason, I think Burley and/or dark fired will pair well with this leaf. And I'm thinning bright over reds.

 

[upnorth1]

This is the first I’ve heard of rabbit tobacco. I loved the Foxfire books and have a set at the cabin.

 

[FurCoat]

I’m in eastern NC I have yet to try some, I think there use to be a bunch more abundance of it than it is now, on the other hand I have smoked a monkey cigar, which is a seed pod off of a Catalpa tree (if your not familiar with one) they also have some of the best fishing bait the Catawba worm.

I caught 6 red eared shell crackers near the lenght of my forearm with a single Catawba worm fresh off the tree.

 

[kcghost]

I am too old to try anything as Avant Garde as this stuff.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I am too old to try anything as Avant Garde as this stuff.

I think you mean "hillbilly".
It's what shine is to whiskey I would imagine.

 

[vosBghos]

I'd love to try it with some Orientals , sounds good

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I'd love to try it with some Orientals , sounds good

Agreed. I'm kind of overwhelmed with which route to start blending with because I think it'd really compliment so many leafs. Oriental and Dark Fired I think especially. I'll have to put Orientals in at least one blend.

 

[kcghost]

Rabbit Tobacco is the name of this stuff and it grows wild in Ga, NC and SC!?

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Yessir. It may grow outside of my region, I've not read into that aspect yet. Though it's been smoked by people in these mountains for generations. It's kinda tapered off due to cheap tobacco now.
Hell, us mountain folk consume everything from the ground. Look up Poke Salad (not my thing, but big for poor families back in the day). But many weeds that grow here are great, even for health. Thistle varieties, dandelions, etc.

Rabbit Tobacco is the name of this stuff and it grows wild in Ga, NC and SC!?

 

[pantsBoots]

I'll preface by saying this - I live in the Smoky Mountains of North Georgia (right by North and South Carolina). Appalachian traditions and culture have fascinated me from my childhood hood. I got the Foxfire books as a kid and it unleashed a yearning for tradition within me. I don't know a ton about this plant but realize it may be taboo for those outside of my region. It is a plant used by Native Americans in various forms, later used by the mountain folk of Appalachia.
I've always seen it when driving down the road, or bush hogging the sides of our road and never thought much of it until a conversation I had at work with some "old timers". These guys are in their 60s to late 70s. They told me about how their grandparents and parents would smoke the stuff. They then proceeded to light a small clump and let me smell it and the aroma was just great. Well that was years ago.
Today, a buddy at work who knows I smoke a pipe handed me a bundle and said "Here, smoke it and tell us what ya think". I actually thought this might not be a terrible idea, especially if I'm not inhaling. It makes me think of Deer Tongue, though it's different. It has a smokey, tea-like aroma.
I think I'll process it and then blend it with various leaf I have and experiment to see if it's worth a damn. I think it'd actually taste good with some Bright and Red Virginias, and maybe a pinch of Burley.

Anyways, is anyone else familiar with this plant? Native Americans used it medicinally in various ways. Others smoked it for enjoyed or even medicinal reasons. Just curious if anyone else has ever explored this leaf. I don't think it's anything special, but I'm always curious of new tastes (although this one is nicotine free).

View attachment 257413View attachment 257414View attachment 257415

Lots of good reading online about the history of Native American uses.

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Rabbit Tobacco, Wildflower or Distinguished Herb

A couple of summers ago I was on the Greenway with Gill Heywood and Sally Kesler, identifying and labeling wildflowers, one of the favorite activities of the Frogs Eyes. All the members of this informal group of plant lovers are way over my head in knowledge and ability but I keep hanging on...

www.littletennessee.org

I live in the Cumberland Highland Rim - still technically part of Appalachia, though hilly instead of mountainous, geologists consider it the western frontier of the Appalachian chain. Anywhoodles, rabbitweed/rabbit tobacco grows all over middle Tennessee. It was commonly used during periods of economic devastation (such as Reconstruction and Great Depression 1) to extend or replace tobacco supply. It is still stocked and used by local Amish and herbalists - there is one herbalist who adds it to a "quit smoking" herbal RYO mixture she makes and sells.

I haven't fillied with it myself, but that's only because I haven't gotten around to growing, harvesting, and studying it.

 

[anotherbob]

I'll preface by saying this - I live in the Smoky Mountains of North Georgia (right by North and South Carolina). Appalachian traditions and culture have fascinated me from my childhood hood. I got the Foxfire books as a kid and it unleashed a yearning for tradition within me. I don't know a ton about this plant but realize it may be taboo for those outside of my region. It is a plant used by Native Americans in various forms, later used by the mountain folk of Appalachia.
I've always seen it when driving down the road, or bush hogging the sides of our road and never thought much of it until a conversation I had at work with some "old timers". These guys are in their 60s to late 70s. They told me about how their grandparents and parents would smoke the stuff. They then proceeded to light a small clump and let me smell it and the aroma was just great. Well that was years ago.
Today, a buddy at work who knows I smoke a pipe handed me a bundle and said "Here, smoke it and tell us what ya think". I actually thought this might not be a terrible idea, especially if I'm not inhaling. It makes me think of Deer Tongue, though it's different. It has a smokey, tea-like aroma.
I think I'll process it and then blend it with various leaf I have and experiment to see if it's worth a damn. I think it'd actually taste good with some Bright and Red Virginias, and maybe a pinch of Burley.

Anyways, is anyone else familiar with this plant? Native Americans used it medicinally in various ways. Others smoked it for enjoyed or even medicinal reasons. Just curious if anyone else has ever explored this leaf. I don't think it's anything special, but I'm always curious of new tastes (although this one is nicotine free).

View attachment 257413View attachment 257414View attachment 257415

Lots of good reading online about the history of Native American uses.

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Rabbit Tobacco, Wildflower or Distinguished Herb

A couple of summers ago I was on the Greenway with Gill Heywood and Sally Kesler, identifying and labeling wildflowers, one of the favorite activities of the Frogs Eyes. All the members of this informal group of plant lovers are way over my head in knowledge and ability but I keep hanging on...

www.littletennessee.org

never tried it but old timers certainly have talked about it.