Lobelia radicans
a perennial member of the Lobelia genus in the family Campanulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Lobelia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.15 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[6].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[5]. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic and febrifuge[2][3]. A decoction is used in the treatment of sores and abscesses, poisonous snakebites, tooth abscesses, ascites and traumatic injuries[2]. The fresh plant can also be crushed and used as a poultice[2]. The root is antirheumatic, antisyphilitic, cathartic, depurative and diuretic[5].
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Cathartic
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- VD
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India.
- Habitat
- Wet places, especially around paddy fields and in lowland all over Japan.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[4]. Basal cuttings in spring[1]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Layering in moist sand, it forms roots at the nodes[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. See its habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00