Lobelia radicans
| Lobelia radicans | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lobelia radicans
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. 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[1].
Basal cuttings in spring[2]. 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[1].
Cultivation: 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.
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India.
Habitat: Wet places, especially around paddy fields and in lowland all over Japan.
Medicinal: This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[3].
The whole plant is antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic and febrifuge[4][5]. A decoction is used in the treatment of sores and abscesses, poisonous snakebites, tooth abscesses, ascites and traumatic injuries[4]. The fresh plant can also be crushed and used as a poultice[4].
The root is antirheumatic, antisyphilitic, cathartic, depurative and diuretic[3].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[6].
Also Known As: L. chinensis. Lour.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.