Lobelia tupa
| Lobelia tupa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 7' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lobelia tupa (common name: devil's tobacco)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[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 the spring[1]. 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[1].
Cultivation: Best grown in full sun or in an open position in light shade with some shelter from the wind[1]. Requires a permanently moist fertile loamy soil[1].
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[1].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1].
Range: S. America - Chile.
Habitat: Wooded slopes, in the open and amongst shrubs[2].
Medicinal: A juice pressed from the leaves is used in the treatment of toothache[2][3].
The plant is smoked as an intoxicant[2][1][3].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The whole plant is poisonous[1]. 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].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.