Lobelia
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| Missing image Lobeliacloseup.jpg Lobelia erinus | ||||||||||||
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Lobelia, also known as Indian Tobacco, is a genus in the family Lobeliaceae, comprising some 200 species, some of which are cultivated in gardens. These include Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower or Indian Pink), Lobelia siphilitica (Blue Lobelia), Lobelia fulgens and Lobelia erinus.
Lobelia erinus is an annual flowering plant often grown in window boxes and hanging baskets. Many varieties have been cultivated with a wide variety of colours.
The genus is named after Matthias de Lobel (1538–1616).
Native Americans used Lobelia to treat respiratory and muscle disorders, and as a purgative. One species, L. siphilitica, was considered a cure for syphilis.