Indian Tobacco

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian Tobacco
• Indian-tobacco
• inflated lobelia
• inflated tobacco
• Indian tobacco
• Lowbelia
• Puke Weed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lobelia inflata var. simplex
• Rapuntium inflatum
• Lobelia inflata f. albiflora
• Rapuntium michauxii
• Dortmanna inflata
• Lobelia michauxii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Campanulaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Lobelia, specifically as the species Lobelia inflata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents. In North America, it can be found across Eastern Canada in provinces such as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Moving across the globe to Eastern Asia, the species is also documented in Japan. Additionally, its presence extends into Middle Europe, specifically within Germany. These varied locations highlight the wide range in which the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lobelia inflata is characterized by its status as an annual species, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable periods of its environment through the production of seeds rather than through persistent vegetative structures or specialized underground organs. This life strategy ensures that it can rapidly colonize disturbed soils and open habitats, utilizing its ephemeral growth to exploit seasonal resources before setting seed and dying at the end of the year.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Lobelia inflata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is entirely terrestrial in its habitat preference, neither being aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. Furthermore, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies such as lianas or facultative climbers, and it maintains a consistent non-woody composition throughout its vegetative structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lobelia inflata is characterized by a specialized metabolic and structural framework adapted to its temperate habitat. As a member of the Campanulaceae family, the plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound through the Calvin cycle, making it highly efficient in environments with moderate light and moisture. Its metabolic processes are driven by the synthesis of complex nitrogenous alkaloids, most notably lobeline, which are produced through secondary metabolic pathways. These alkaloids serve as chemical defenses and exert significant physiological effects on the respiratory and nervous systems of herbivores. Furthermore, the plant's physiological structure is marked by its characteristic inflated calyx, which plays a role in its reproductive strategy and physical resilience. Water regulation and nutrient transport are managed through a standard vascular system, supporting the rapid growth typical of annual herbaceous species during the warmer growing seasons.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lobelia inflata is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant typically begins its flowering period in June and continues through August. Once pollination is successful, the plant develops dry fruit in the form of a capsule. This capsule is dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The dispersal syndrome is identified as autochorous, where the plant utilizes its own internal mechanisms to scatter seeds. The seeds themselves are extremely minute, with a consistent seed mass of 1.4e-05 g (both the minimum and maximum recorded values) and a uniform seed volume of 0.011 mm³ (representing the minimum, maximum, and mean values).

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass mean:

1.4e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.011 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lobelia inflata has 42 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lobeline, Lobetyolin, beta-Amyrin palmitate, (-)-Lobeline, ALUMINUM.

lobeline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Biomolecules

Lobetyolin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomolecules

beta-Amyrin palmitate

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

(-)-Lobeline

1. Dr. Duke

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHROMIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COBALT

1. Dr. Duke

Caoutchouc

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Lobelia inflata has 330 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amphiglycemic?

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Lobelia inflata has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidepressant, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, multidrug resistance.

Antidepressant

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Colorectal cancer

1. Biomolecules

Lung cancer

1. Biomolecules

Multidrug resistance

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology