Consider-the-Lilies Web Gallery
Indian-tobacco
This native, perennial wildflower is a hardy grower. I often find it flourishing along the shoulders of country roads and the edges of waste areas, where little else will grow. It is often seen with another robust colonizer, the common blue Chicory.
Indian-tobacco is a Lobelia and thus a member of the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae), of which we have several representatives in the Shenandoah Valley. A cousin, Great Blue Lobelia, is the exact opposite in its habitat requirements: It must have damp and fertile ground.
This "tougher" member of the family, however, like Chicory, seems to thrive in the most demanding environments.
Its common name is believed to be derived from Native American use of its leaves as a substitute for chewing and smoking tobacco, perhaps for medicinal purposes.
The Cherokee used a dilute infusion made from the leaves to treat colds and infections.
Note: Botanists warn that the leaves and root of Lobelia inflata are extremely dangerous to ingest in any form.
Toxins found in the foliage of this plant can cause severe vomiting and even death.
As with many of the lovely wildflowers displayed in the Gallery, I recommend that we enjoy Indian-tobacco and other Lobelia only as a visual treat!
Go to the Main Directory to consider more lilies of the field.