Why was the genus Nicotiana named after Jean Nicot?

The genus Nicotiana was named in honor of the French diplomat and scholar Jean Nicot.

In the 16th century, while serving as the French ambassador to Portugal, Nicot learned of the medicinal properties of the tobacco plant. He subsequently introduced the plant to the French court, where he promoted its use as a remedy for various ailments, including headaches, by crushing the leaves into a powder that could be inhaled.1

Because of his significant role in the dissemination and popularization of the plant throughout Europe, the Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus officially named the genus Nicotiana in 1753. Nicot’s influence is also reflected in the term nicotine, which refers to the plant's active ingredient.1