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Lobelia inflata
  • Indian Tobacco

an annual member of the Lobelia genus in the family Campanulaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lobelia inflata has 0 material uses listed
Lobelia inflata has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Some reports say that the plant is poisonous[1][2][3], whilst another says that toxicity has not been established[4]. It contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[5]. See also the notes below on medicinal uses.

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Lobelia inflata.

Material uses

The plant has been burnt in order to smoke out gnats[6].

Unknown part

Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Indian Tobacco was a traditional North American Indian remedy for a wide range of conditions[7]. Nowadays it is used mainly as a powerful antispasmodic herb in the treatment of respiratory and muscle disorders[7]. Acting also as a respiratory stimulant, Indian Tobacco is a valuable remedy for conditions such as bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis[7].

The dried flowering herb and the seed are antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and nervine[8][1][9][10][4][11]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and pleurisy[12]. This remedy should be used with great caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[1][9][4]. Excess doses cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and respiratory failure[12]. See also the notes above on toxicity. The plant contains the alkaline 'lobeline' which has proved to be of value in helping people to give up smoking tobacco[1][13][14]. It is contained in many proprietary anti-smoking mixtures where it mimics the effects of nicotine[12]. The alkaloids present in the leaves are used to stimulate the removal of phlegm from the respiratory tract[14]. When chewed, the leaves induce vomiting, headache and nausea - in larger doses it has caused death[14]. The alkaloids first act as a stimulant and then as a depressive to the autonomic nervous system and in high doses paralyses muscular action in the same way as curare[14]. Externally, the plant is used in treating pleurisy, rheumatism, tennis elbow, whiplash injuries, boils and ulcers[12].

The whole plant is harvested when the lower fruits are ripe and it is used fresh or dried[12].

Unknown part

Antiasthmatic
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emetic
Expectorant
Miscellany
Nervine

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates within 2 weeks.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lobelia inflata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in full sun or light shade[13]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a slightly acid soil[12].

Plants are usually annual, but are sometimes biennial[8].

This species is occasionally cultivated commercially as a medicinal plant[10][15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lobelia inflata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lobelia inflata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lobelia inflata
Genus
Lobelia
Family
Campanulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[7][8][1][9][10][4][11][12][13][14]
Material uses & Functions
[6]
Botanic
[16][13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    3. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    5. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.6 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    15. ? Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    16. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-235" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Lobelia_inflata_-_Köhler?s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-218.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Lobelia_inflata&oldid=78378"
    Facts about "Lobelia inflata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCampanulaceae +
    Belongs to genusLobelia +
    Has binomial nameLobelia inflata +
    Has common nameIndian Tobacco +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageLobelia inflata - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-218.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useRepellent +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiasthmatic +, Antispasmodic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Expectorant +, Miscellany + and Nervine +
    Has primary imageLobelia_inflata_-_Köhler–s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-218.jpg +
    Has search namelobelia inflata + and indian tobacco +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameLobelia inflata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Lobelia inflata +, Lobelia inflata +, Lobelia inflata +, Lobelia inflata +, Lobelia inflata +, Lobelia inflata +, Lobelia inflata +, Lobelia inflata + and Lobelia inflata +