Lobelia inflata

Lobelia inflata is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant growing to 15–100 cm (5.9–39.4 in) tall, with stems covered in tiny hairs. Its leaves are usually about 8 cm (3.1 in) long, and are ovate and toothed. They are alternately arranged. It has violet colored flowers that are tinted yellow on the inside, and usually appear in mid-summer and continue to bloom into fall.^[4] The seedcases are small, brown, dehiscent, and papery.^[5]

Propagation is usually accomplished by cuttings or seed. Seeds are sown in containers in mid spring or mid fall. The seeds take about 2 weeks to germinate.

Lobelia inflata is pollinated by small bees including sweat bees.^[6]

Lobelia inflata has a long use as a medicinal plant as an entheogenic, emetic, and skin or respiratory aid.^[7][8] Native Americans used it for respiratory and muscle disorders, as a purgative, and as a ceremonial medicine.^[7][8] The leaves were chewed and smoked.^[9] The plant was used as a traditional medicinal plant by the Cherokee, Iroquois, Penobscot, and other indigenous peoples.^[8] The foliage was burned by the Cherokee as a natural insecticide, to smoke out gnats.^[8]

Although it may be used medicinally,^[10] consuming lobelia causes adverse effects, which may include sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, mental confusion, convulsions, hypothermia, coma, or possibly death.^[7][11] The root is toxic and can be fatal if eaten.^[7][9]

Lobelia inflata contains multiple alkaloid compounds, including lobeline, norlobelanine, lobelanidine, and radicamine, among other compounds, such as flavonoids, terpenes, alkynes, and coumarins.^[7][12][13] Lobeline concentration is highest in the seeds.^[7]