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Lobelia siphilitica
  • Great Blue Lobelia

a perennial 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 Requirementshigh
    High
    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 Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    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 siphilitica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is potentially poisonous[1]. It contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Lobelia siphilitica.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Lobelia siphilitica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is cathartic, diaphoretic and emetic[3][4][5]. It is used in the treatment of dropsy, diarrhoea, stomach complaints, syphilis and dysentery[3][6]. A poultice of the root has been applied to sores that are hard to heal[6].

The leaves are analgesic and febrifuge[6]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of colds and fevers[6]. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to the head to relieve the pain of headaches[6]. At one time in N. America the root of this plant was believed to be effective in the treatment of VD[5][1]. When used in Europe, however, it was found to be ineffective[7]. This might have been because the N. American Indians used the fresh root (which still contained the volatile oils) and also used it in conjunction with Podophyllum peltatum and Prunus virginiana, and then dusted the ulcers with the bark of Ceanothus americanus[7]. It was believed by some native North American Indian tribes that if the finely ground roots were secretly added to the food of an arguing couple then this would avert a divorce and they would love each other again[7].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[3].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Cathartic
Diaphoretic
Emetic
Homeopathy
Poultice
VD

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[8]. 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[8]. Basal cuttings in spring[9]. 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[8].

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



Cultivation

Requires a moist soil, succeeding in full sun or partial shade[10][11][8]. A very ornamental plant[9], but it is short-lived unless divided frequently[12]..

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lobelia siphilitica. 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 siphilitica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lobelia siphilitica
Genus
Lobelia
Family
Campanulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[3][4][5][6][1][7]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[13][8]
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
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, 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
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.25 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Lobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Lobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    "image:Lobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9 ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    11. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    12. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    13. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-43

    "image:Lobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Lobelia_siphilitica&oldid=78381"
    Facts about "Lobelia siphilitica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCampanulaceae +
    Belongs to genusLobelia +
    Has binomial nameLobelia siphilitica +
    Has common nameGreat Blue Lobelia +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageLobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.25 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Cathartic +, Diaphoretic +, Emetic +, Homeopathy +, Poultice + and VD +
    Has primary imageLobelia siphilitica 0002.JPG +
    Has search namelobelia siphilitica + and great blue lobelia +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameLobelia siphilitica +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    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 siphilitica +, Lobelia siphilitica +, Lobelia siphilitica +, Lobelia siphilitica +, Lobelia siphilitica +, Lobelia siphilitica + and Lobelia siphilitica +