Indian Tobacco

Lobelia inflata Campanulaceae

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived perennial

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, Eastern North America

Biocultural value

Iroquois made a strong tea with the leves for purging the bowels. The dried leaes were also smoked for relieving coughs.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Robison Herb Garden, Coy Glen, McLean Bogs, Ringwood Ponds

Source of plant

Richters

Description

Spreading, pubescent annual to 90cm. Leaves to 6cm, oblong, crenate to serrate. Flowers in loose racemes; calyx inflated after anthesis; corolla to 1cm, blue, purple or tinged with pink.

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

medicinal/pharmaceutical

Status

L4|S5|G5