Lobelia tupa Seeds ~ Devil's Tobacco, Tabaco del Diablo Seeds - Perennial Ethnobotanical Seeds

Lobelia tupa Seeds

Devil's Tobacco, Tabaco del Diablo

Wow is usually the first expression when people see this beautiful giant Lobelia from Chile. This hardy perennial is not what most people expect when they hear the name ‘Lobelia’ but once you see it growing you will not forget it. Lobelia tupa is a tall, variable plant of the high Andes and is also called tabaco del diablo which means devil's tobacco. In Chile, the Mapuche Indians smoke the dried leaves of this beautiful red-flowered plant for their narcotic effects. They contain the alkaloid lobeline and several derivatives of it. The same alkaloid occurs in some North American species of Lobelia, especially Lobelia inflata, known locally as Indian tobacco. It has been used medicinally and as a smoking deterrent. Growing up to 2m high and as wide, it has large felted light grey-green leaves and impressive flower spiked covered in hooked red blooms, which are a particular favorite of hummingbirds. Given a sunny site with excellent drainage and room to grow, this lobelia will make an impact in any garden.

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