Inflated Lobelia

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Secure in both Ontario (S5) and Quebec (S5) with a global rank of G5. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Widespread and common throughout its eastern North American range.

S22 G5, S5 ON, S5 QC; S26 not SARA listed

Rarity Ranks

QC S5 – Secure, ON S5 – Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

A disturbance-adapted annual of open deciduous woodlands, savannas, roadsides, fields, and trail edges. Thrives on sites with some canopy removal, in moist to dry loam or rocky soils. Common throughout the Ottawa-Gatineau region in disturbed or semi-open habitats.

S10 open deciduous woodlands, savannas, disturbed areas; S7 roadsides, trails, fields; S62 Common in Ottawa

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)]

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

Click here for more info →

Category

Antiasthmatic, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Expectorant, Nervine, Analgesic, Dermatological Aid, Pulmonary Aid, Respiratory Aid

S29 PFAF medicinal categories; S28 Moerman categories

Notes

Extensively used in Cherokee and Iroquois medicine as an emetic, analgesic, respiratory aid, and dermatological treatment. The alkaloid lobeline mimics nicotine and was historically used in anti-smoking preparations. Western herbalism employed it as an antispasmodic for asthma and bronchitis. Caution: highly toxic in overdose; use only under professional supervision.

S28 Cherokee and Iroquois uses; S29 antispasmodic, anti-smoking, lobeline

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

Click here for more info →

❌ Not Edible   

Foraging Notes

Not edible. PFAF rates edibility at 0 out of 5. The plant contains lobeline and other piperidine alkaloids that are highly toxic if ingested. All parts are poisonous and can cause nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and death in large doses.

S29 Edibility Rating 0/5, None known; S4 POISONOUS PARTS: All parts

Toxicity

☠️ High Toxicity

Contains piperidine alkaloids including lobeline, lobelanine, and lobelanidine. These act as nicotinic receptor agonists causing nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and potentially death in large doses. The acrid milky sap and all plant parts are toxic. Despite not being listed in Cornell or USDA toxic plant databases, multiple sources confirm significant toxicity. PFAF and LBJ Wildflower Center both note the plant as poisonous.

S29 lobeline alkaloid, poisonous; S4 POISONOUS PARTS: All parts, alkaloids lobeline; S31 80 chemicals including lobeline; S10 highly acrid and toxic

Seed Source

• Localeaf