Lobelia inflata, Indian Tobacca - 500 seeds

Lobelia inflata, Puke Weed Tobacco seeds

 

 

Lobelia inflata, well known as puke weed or tobacco, is a biennial plant species of family Campanulaceae and genus lobelia. Its synonyms include Dortmannia inflata (L.)Kuntze, lobelia inflattum(L) Mill, Lobelia michauxii Nutt, lobelia inflata var.simplex Millsp, Rapuntium michauxi (Nutt) C.Presl and Lobelia inflata f.albiflora Moldenke. Common names of plant species include Gagroot, Asthma weed, Bladderpod, pokeweed, eyebright, Vomitwort, herba lobellae, Indian tobacco and Rapuntium inflatum. It is also called Indian tobacco, especially in Asia. The plant is native to Northern hemisphere, Nova Scotia and Ontario. This type of herb was named back in the 17^th century by a Flemish physician and botanist known as Mattias de lobel.

Lobelia inflata is an annual plant species that complete life cycle within one season but sometimes it can reseed. It grows well with sparse stems from 30 to 100 cm high. Leaves arrange themselves alternately and are usually 8 cm long. Flowers are violet in colour, but tinted yellow on the inner part. Flowers blossoms in mid-summer and sometimes it may continue to fall. Seeds harvested are dehiscent, small in shape and brown in colour. Propagation usually takes place through seed application or asexual propagation. This herb is common in areas that are slightly wet, somewhat disturbed grounds or in shaded gardens.

Lobelia inflata have a wide variety of uses, more importantly as a medicinal plant. Lobelia herb is used to treat breathing problems such as asthma, bronchitis, apnea in new born and whooping cough. Sometimes lobelia is taken by some people to cool down their tempers. It is believed that this herb stimulates respiratory centre. Alternatively, some use it to induce excessive sweating. In the manufacturing industry, lobelia is used to prepare cough and other product substances that irritate. Presence of pieridine alkaloid in the plant is the central source to many herbal, marine and other dietary supplements. Indigenous people such as Penobscot, Iroquois and Cherokee used lobelia inflata as a traditional medicinal plant. For instance, Cherokee people use to burn the foliage as a natural insecticide, which is used to chase out gnats. Adverse side effect such as vomiting, tremors, mental confusion and sweating are associated with this herb. Indigenous people of Canada believed to have smoked and chewed its leaves; this gave this herb the name ‘Niering.’

Consuming, all parts of this herb in large quantities, is toxic, for instance, roots of several lobelia genius can cause fatalities in animals and also humans when ingested.

 

 

 

Growing from seeds:

These seeds need a stratification first, meaning that they have to be treated with cold for several weeks. This can easily be done by planting them directly into your garden at autumn and then they'll start to germinate in spring.

Second option is just simulating the winter season by putting seeds, together with some soil, into the fridge for about 4-6 weeks.

Third option is a treatment with GA3 (Gibberellic acid) for about 6 hours. Then they can be planted directly. Instructions for GA3 usage can be found in the item description of this phytohormone right here in my store.

 

After stratification seeds should be sprinkled on moist soil and gently press them onto it. Do not cover them, because they need light to germinate.