Lobelia

Lobelia
Lobelia laxiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Campanulaceae
Subfamily:	Lobelioideae
Genus:	Lobelia L.[1]
Species
See text.
Synonyms
Enchysia C.Presl Haynaldia Kanitz Isolobus A.DC. Laurentia Adans. Mezleria C.Presl Neowimmeria O.Deg. & I.Deg. Parastranthus G.Don Rapuntium Mill. Tupa G.Don[1]

Lobelia /lɵˈbiːliə/^[2] is a genus of flowering plants comprising 415 species,^[3] with a subcosmopolitan distribution primarily in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, a few species extending into cooler temperate regions.^[4] They are known generally as lobelias.^[5]

Description

The genus Lobelia comprises a substantial number of large and small annual, perennial and shrubby species, hardy and tender, from a variety of habitats, in a range of colours. Many species appear totally dissimilar from each other. However, all have simple, alternate leaves and 2-lipped tubular flowers, each with 5 lobes. The upper two lobes may be erect, while the lower three lobes may be fanned out. Flowering is often abundant and the flower colour intense, hence their popularity as ornamental garden subjects.^[6]

Taxonomy

The genus is named after the Belgian botanist Matthias de Lobel (1538–1616).^[4] Some botanists place the genus and its relatives in the separate family Lobeliaceae, others as a subfamily Lobelioideae within the Campanulaceae. The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group did not make a firm decision on this, listing the genus under both families.

Lobelia is probably the base form from which many other lobelioid genera are derived; it is therefore highly paraphyletic and not a good genus. For example, the Hawaiian species (see Hawaiian lobelioids) originated from a single introduction to Hawaii 15 million years ago, probably from an Asian Lobelia in Lobelia subg. Tupa.^[7] However, the group has not yet been studied adequately to rearrange the classification.^{[citation needed]}

Ecology

Lobelia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Cultivation and uses

Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens. These include Lobelia cardinalis syn. Lobelia fulgens (cardinal flower or Indian pink), Lobelia siphilitica (blue lobelia), and Lobelia erinus, which is used for edging and window boxes.^[6]

Hybrids

Numerous hybrids have been produced, notably Lobelia × speciosa, a hybrid derived from L. fulgens, L. cardinalis & L. siphilitica. The term "fan hybrids" is also used.^[8] This plant is borderline hardy and requires fertile, moist soil. It is suitable for summer bedding schemes or growing in containers. The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

Traditional medicine

Native Americans used lobelia to treat respiratory and muscle disorders, and as a purgative. The species used most commonly in modern herbalism is Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco).^[15] However, there are adverse effects that limit the use of lobelia.^[16]

Lobelia has been used as "asthmador" in Appalachian folk medicine^[17]

Two species, L. siphilitica and L. cardinalis, were once considered a cure for syphilis.^[18]

Herbalist Samuel Thomson popularized medicinal use of lobelia in the United States in the early 19th century, as well as other medicinal plants like goldenseal.^[15]

One species, Lobelia chinensis (called bàn biān lián, 半边莲 in Chinese), is used as one of the fifty fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.

Several studies show that lobeline—an alkaloid derived from lobelia—is ineffective in helping people to quit smoking.^[19]

Chemical constituents

Extracts of Lobelia inflata contain lobeline, which showed positive effects in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tumor cells in vitro.^[20] Furthermore, lobeline can be modified to lobelane which decreased methamphetamine self-administration in rats.^[21] It therefore opens a perspective in methamphetamine dependency treatment.^[22]

Adverse effects

Because of its similarity to nicotine, the internal use of lobelia may be dangerous to susceptible populations, including children, pregnant women,^[23] and individuals with cardiac disease. Excessive use will cause nausea and vomiting.^[24] It is not recommended for use by pregnant women and is best administered by a practitioner qualified in its use. It also has a chemical known as Lobellicyonycin, which may cause dizziness.

Symbolism

In the Victorian language of flowers, the lobelia symbolizes malevolence.^[25]

Diversity

Species include:^[26][27]

Lobelia erinus

Giant lobelias (Lobelia deckenii), Mount Kenya

Mexican spurred lobelias

About eleven species native to Mexico and Central America have spurs on the flowers. These spurred lobelias appear to form a monophyletic group. Most have been classified in the genera Heterotoma (or sometimes Calcaratolobelia). However, since their closest relatives, such as Lobelia anatina, are in Lobelia, Koopman and Ayers classify them in Lobelia.^[29]

Partial list:

• Lobelia aurita (Heterotoma aurita). One of the most common understory plants in the Sierra de la Laguna pine-oak forests.^[30]
• Lobelia calcarata (Heterotoma lobelioides^[31] or Lobelia lobelioides^[29])
• Lobelia cordifolia (Heterotoma cordifolia)^[32]
• Lobelia flexuosa (Heterotoma flexuosa)^[32]
• Lobelia mcvaughii^[32]
• Lobelia volcanica (Heterotoma tenella)^[32]

Formerly placed here

• Apteria aphylla (Nutt.) Barnhart ex Small (as L. aphylla Nutt.)
• Centropogon cornutus (L.) Druce (as L. cornuta L. or L. surinamensis L.)
• Cyanea angustifolia (Cham.) Hillebr. (as L. angustifolia Cham.)
• Cyanea calycina (Cham.) Lammers (as L. calycina Cham.)
• Cyanea crispa (Gaudich.) Lammers et al. (as L. crispa (Gaudich.) Endl.)
• Cyanea pinnatifida (Cham.) E. Wimm. (as L. pinnatifida Cham.)
• Cyanea superba (Cham.) A.Gray (as L. superba Cham.)
• Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don (as L. longiflora L.)
• Mazus pumilus (Burm.f.) Steenis (as L. pumila Burm.f.)
• Pratia angulata (G.Forst.) Hook.f. (as L. angulata G.Forst.)
• Pratia concolor (R.Br.) Druce (as L. concolor R.Br.)
• Pratia montana (Reinw. ex Blume) Hassk. (as L. montana Reinw. ex Blume)
• Pratia nummularia (Lam.) A.Braun & Asch. (as L. begoniifolia Wall.)^[26]

See also

• Media related to Lobelia at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Lobelia at Wikispecies

References

Further reading

Everitt, J.H.; Lonard, R.L., Little, C.R. (2007). Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. ISBN 0-89672-614-2.  Cite uses deprecated parameters (help)