Lobelia tupa
Tupa, Tabaco del diablo
Lobelia tupa is an outstanding summer flowering plant which is different from other lobelias. As a native of Chile it adapted to the local conditions growing very tall with large, long flowering stem.
This giant lobelia grows from a large tufted rootstock and produces many thick woody stems from its base growing up to 2.5 metres high. The leaves are large, oval shaped and pointed at the tip. They are up to 20cm long covered in soft hairs.
Flowers are borne on a terminal spike in late summer which in itself can be up to 1 metre long. Each reddish scarlet flower is thick and fleshy up to 6cm long and is thought to be pollinated by hummingbirds.
It survives best in really well drained soil which is kept moist in summer although it will grow successfully in full sun with a dryish soil or with the rootstock in a cool shady place and the stems allowed to grow in full sun.
It is easy to grow and grows well in all parts of New Zealand preferring a hot dry autumn when it is in flower. It is hardy to minus 10 degrees C. It is supposed to resent disturbance but it can be successfully be moved.
This is a really interesting plant and well worth growing in gardens that can accommodate such a tall and interesting plant. It is great for the back of a border so that the flowers protrude over the top of other plants or as a specimen plant to show off the leaves and flowers.
It is also a plant with a number of chemical properties. Its latex sap is used as an abortifacient, and a hallucinogen, which may explain one of its common names, Tabaco del Diablo (Devil's tobacco). Ironically, this plant has been used as a counter effect herb on nicotine addiction because of the alkaloid Lobeline. The Mapuche Indians of Southern Chile consider it a sacred plant. Tupa leaves have also been found to contain chemicals that act as a respiratory stimulant. The native people are thought to have extracted poison from its roots for their arrows.
Lobelia tupa is an outstanding summer flowering plant which is different from other lobelias. As a native of Chile it adapted to the local conditions growing very tall with large, long flowering stem.
This giant lobelia grows from a large tufted rootstock and produces many thick woody stems from its base growing up to 2.5 metres high. The leaves are large, oval shaped and pointed at the tip. They are up to 20cm long covered in soft hairs.
Flowers are borne on a terminal spike in late summer which in itself can be up to 1 metre long. Each reddish scarlet flower is thick and fleshy up to 6cm long and is thought to be pollinated by hummingbirds.
It survives best in really well drained soil which is kept moist in summer although it will grow successfully in full sun with a dryish soil or with the rootstock in a cool shady place and the stems allowed to grow in full sun.
It is easy to grow and grows well in all parts of New Zealand preferring a hot dry autumn when it is in flower. It is hardy to minus 10 degrees C. It is supposed to resent disturbance but it can be successfully be moved.
This is a really interesting plant and well worth growing in gardens that can accommodate such a tall and interesting plant. It is great for the back of a border so that the flowers protrude over the top of other plants or as a specimen plant to show off the leaves and flowers.
It is also a plant with a number of chemical properties. Its latex sap is used as an abortifacient, and a hallucinogen, which may explain one of its common names, Tabaco del Diablo (Devil's tobacco). Ironically, this plant has been used as a counter effect herb on nicotine addiction because of the alkaloid Lobeline. The Mapuche Indians of Southern Chile consider it a sacred plant. Tupa leaves have also been found to contain chemicals that act as a respiratory stimulant. The native people are thought to have extracted poison from its roots for their arrows.