Lobelia radicans

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

Lobelia radicans is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 6in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Wet places, especially around paddy fields and in lowland all over Japan.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 3

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic and febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of sores and abscesses, poisonous snakebites, tooth abscesses, ascites and traumatic injuries. The fresh plant can also be crushed and used as a poultice. The root is antirheumatic, antisyphilitic, cathartic, depurative and diuretic.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Cathartic: A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

VD: Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. See its habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Layering in moist sand, it forms roots at the nodes.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

The plant contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

L. chinensis. Lour.