Lobelia tupa
Devil's Tobacco
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Lobelia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 2 m
- Spread
- 1 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.
The whole plant is poisonous[2]. It contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[4]. Even smelling this plant has been known to cause sickness[4].
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.
A juice pressed from the leaves is used in the treatment of toothache[1][3]. The plant is smoked as an intoxicant[1][2][3].
- Product or use
- Narcotic
- Product or use
- Odontalgic
Environment
- Range
- S. America - Chile.
- Habitat
- Wooded slopes, in the open and amongst shrubs[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[2]. 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 the spring[2]. Plants can also be divided and potted up in the autumn and kept in a cold frame over the winter to protect against losses in severe winters[2].
Cultivation
Best grown in full sun or in an open position in light shade with some shelter from the wind[2]. Requires a permanently moist fertile loamy soil[2]. This species is hardy to about -10°c, but in areas with mild maritime winters plants can be induced into early growth and this growth is more susceptible to frost damage[2]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2].
References
Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
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