Flower ID: IMG_1619.JPG-08-04-2017 Flower name (scientific): Lobelia inflata Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) low-BEE-lee-ah in-FLAY-tuh Flower name (common): Indian Tobacco Family name (common): Bellflower Family name (scientific): Campanulaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Named in honor of Mathias de l'Obel (also written as Mathias de Lobel or Matthaeus Lobelius) (1538–1616), who was a Flemish physician and botanist. Specific epithet: Latin for inflated, referring to the inflated capsules. Common name origin: From its use by Native Americans as a tobacco substitute. The plant does contain a number of toxic chemicals. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: blue and white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Erect Size: 6 to 30 inches (15 to 76 cm) Stem hairy: moderately to densely pubescent Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple, typically sessile or with short winged petiole, margin irregularly blunt-toothed. Size: Leaves up to 6 to 10 cm long and up to 4 cm wide. Color: medium green Hairy: adaxial surface glabrous or sparsely pubescent, abaxial surface moderately pubescent. Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate to ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Fields, woods, forests, thickets, streambanks, disturbed areas, roadsides, sun or part shade, moist. Fruit: inflated capsules up to 1 cm in length. Seed: 0.5 to 0.8 mm in length, light to darker brown, with pits and ridges on the surface. Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Lobelia inflata can be distinguished from similar looking species Lobelia spicata (Pale-spike Lobelia) and to a lesser extent Lobelia kalmii (Kalm's Lobelia) by the inflated calyxes that form as the seed capsules develop. The other Lobelia species do not have calyxes that inflate. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes in Wisconsin. The Cherokee used the plant for several ailments including the treatment of body aches, bites and stings, and asthma. The Iroquois used the plant to treat sores, as an emetic, and for other ailments (Moerman, p. 312, 1998). Latitude: 44.800035 Longitude: -91.481618 Altitude: 260.00 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (BC, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 2 homotypic synonyms for this species. Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 4 heterotypic synonyms for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU