Lobelia inflata
Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata )
Indian tobacco, whether Inflated Lobelia (Lobelia inflata ) is a plant from the family of the bellflower family ( Campanulaceae ). Despite its German Trivial name has this poisonous plant species to the genus tobacco from the nightshade family (Solanaceae ), botanically speaking, nothing to do.
- 4.1 Notes and references
Features
The Indian Tobacco is an annual plant that reaches a height of up to 1 meter. The stem is branched and hairy. The alternate on the stem arranged leaves are sessile or short-stalked. The leaf blade is ovate - oval with toothed edges.
The terminal, racemose inflorescences contain many flowers. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic. The blue or white petals are 6-8 mm long. The corolla is two-lipped, with a two- protruding corners top and a dreizipfligen hairy on the inside lip. At the time of fruit maturity of the flower cups is inflated.
Occurrence
The distribution area of the Indian tobacco is extending across the east coast of North America and the Great Lakes region. As a location it prefers open forests.
Use
Use as an ornamental plant
The Indian tobacco is grown as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens.
Ingredients and medical use
Dried Indian Tobacco contains about 6 % alkaloids, including the main alkaloid lobeline, which is contained in the roots, stems and leaves. Taken parenterally, it shows a stimulatory effect on respiration. Previously, the drug and its preparations have been used as an antiasthmatic. Since lobeline has similar properties to nicotine, however unpleasant side effects such as nausea has, it is often part of smoking cessation agents. After oral ingestion lobeline is rapidly degraded into inactive compounds, so that with poisoning hardly to be expected.
The Indian tobacco was used in the traditional medicine of various Indian tribes. The root has been used to treat venereal diseases and ulcers that crushed leaves against various skin diseases and as an antidote to alleged witchcraft. The leaves were smoked in religious ceremonies.
Swell
- Indian tobacco in the Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System.