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Lobelia radicans - Thunb.

Common Name
Family Campanulaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The plant contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[274].
Habitats Wet places, especially around paddy fields and in lowland all over Japan.
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lobelia radicans


Lobelia radicans

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. chinensis. Lour.

Plant Habitats

 Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic  Antirheumatic  Cathartic  Depurative  Diuretic  Febrifuge  VD

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic and febrifuge[147, 176]. A decoction is used in the treatment of sores and abscesses, poisonous snakebites, tooth abscesses, ascites and traumatic injuries[147]. The fresh plant can also be crushed and used as a poultice[147]. The root is antirheumatic, antisyphilitic, cathartic, depurative and diuretic[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. 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[200]. Basal cuttings in spring[1]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lobelia cardinalisCardinal FlowerPerennial1.0 3-9 MLMHSNMWeWa03 
Lobelia dortmannaWater Lobelia, Dortmann's cardinalflowerPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNMWe02 
Lobelia inflataIndian TobaccoAnnual0.6 -  LMHSNM031
Lobelia sessilifolia Perennial0.7 4-8  LMHSNMWe10 
Lobelia siphiliticaGreat Blue Lobelia, Blue Cardinal Flower, Big Blue Lobelia, Great LobeliaPerennial1.0 5-9 MLMHSNMWe02 
Lobelia spicataPale Spike, Palespike lobeliaPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNMWe01 
Lobelia tupaDevil's TobaccoPerennial2.0 7-10  LMHSNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Thunb.

Botanical References

58

Links / References

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Subject : Lobelia radicans  
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