Lobelia

Lobelia is known as Indian Tobacco, Asthma Weed, Pukeweed, or Vomitwort) is a genus in the family Campanulaceae, comprising some 200 species. These include Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower or Indian Pink), Lobelia siphilitica (Blue Lobelia), Lobelia fulgens and Lobelia erinus, as well as some hybrids.

Some botanists place lobelia in the separate family Lobeliaceae. Lobelia erinus is an annual flowering plant often grown in window boxes and hanging baskets. Many varieties have been cultivated with a wide variety of colours.

Lobelia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some butterflies. The genus is named for the Belgian botanist Matthias de Lobel (1538-1616)

Lobelia hybrid 'Techno Heat' series and 'Waterfall' series

Lobelia hybrid
Common Name: Lobelia
Flowers: Small, star-shaped; blue, light blue, or white
Foliage: Medium-green
Height: 10" with 12" spread.
Hardiness: Annual
Soil: Acid to slightly alkaline
Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Water usage: Medium

Lobelia inflata L. is Indian-tobacco. Lobelia cardinalis L. is
cardinalflower.

  Search Library Topics      Search Newspaper Columns