lobelia family

Family Lobeliaceae, which contains about 750 species of flowering plants in 25 genera. Some are grown for their attractive, two-lipped flowers. Postlike and shaggy-tree forms are found on mountains in Africa. The family includes the cardinal flower, great blue lobelia (L. siphilitica), and Indian tobacco (L. inflata). Once used for smoking and for the vomit-inducing alkaloid in its roots, lobelia is now regarded as poisonous.

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