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Growing Info

Scarification: none required

Stratification: none required

Germination: requires light for germination, surface sow and keep moist

Native to: Midwest, Northeast, South

Native

Introduced

Lobelia inflataLobelia inflata

Indian-tobacco

In Stock: 0.277 lb (Total:0.277lb)

Lobelia inflata

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0.28 lb OR

Details

Germination:

40%

Germination test:

estimate

Purity:

99%

Seeds per lb:

6,930,000

Quantity:

0.28 lb

Collected in:

Oregon

Crop year:

2023

Min. hardiness zone:

Item ID:

1832854

Characteristics

Growing Info

Scarification: none required

Stratification: none required

Germination: requires light for germination, surface sow and keep moist

Native to: Midwest, Northeast, South

Native

Introduced

Explore the intriguing world of Lobelia inflata, commonly known as Indian Tobacco, a captivating yet toxic plant native to the eastern United States. Unlike true tobacco, this annual plant enchants with its delicate pale lavender to white blooms from July to October, thriving in USDA Zones 3-9. Standing at a graceful height of up to 3 feet, it graces disturbed grounds with its slightly hairy stems and elliptical leaves adorned with serrated edges and intriguing white dots.

Indian Tobacco is a survivor, flourishing in a variety of sun exposures and soil moistures. Its tube-shaped flowers, featuring five thin lobes, evolve into unique, balloon-like seed capsules, a nod to its species name, 'inflata.' Attractive to small bees and resistant to deer, this plant is a marvel of resilience. However, caution is crucial; its leaves contain toxic alkaloids, making it harmful to mammals and humans alike. Historically used by Native Americans for its emetic properties, it should neither be smoked nor ingested today.

While less showy than its red and blue Lobelia relatives, Indian Tobacco is a botanical wonder with a rich cultural past and a striking, albeit understated, presence in the plant world.