Lobelia tupa - Devil's Tobacco

Family:	Campanulaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	S. America - Chile.

Lobelia tupa (Devil's Tobacco) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 8and is quite resiliant to frost.
Devil's Tobacco will flower in March to April. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Devil's Tobacco will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Devil's Tobacco prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Devil's Tobacco can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Wooded slopes, in the open and amongst shrubs[192].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Best grown in full sun or in an open position in light shade with some shelter from the wind[200]. Requires a permanently moist fertile loamy soil[200]. 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[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
A juice pressed from the leaves is used in the treatment of toothache[192, 238]. The plant is smoked as an intoxicant[192, 200, 238].

• Narcotic - Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.
• Odontalgic - Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[200]. 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[200]. 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[200].

Known Hazards

The whole plant is poisonous[200]. It contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[274]. Even smelling this plant has been known to cause sickness[274].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.