Lobelia tupa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lobelia tupa |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lobelia
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| Species: |
tupa
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Lobelia tupa is a species of Lobelia native to central Chile from Valparaíso south to Los Lagos regions.
Lobelia tupa is an evergreen perennial plant which grows up to 4 m tall and thrives in dry soils. The foliage is grey-green, with felty elliptical leaves 10–15 cm long. The flowers are red, tubular and 2-lipped and are produced in a sympodium pattern.
The plant has numerous ethnobotanical uses due to its pharmaceutically active alkaloids. ..... Ironically, this plant has been used to treat nicotine addiction because it contains the nicotine-related alkaloid Lobeline (a mixed agonist–antagonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors). The Mapuche of Southern Chile consider it a sacred plant. Tupa leaves have also been found to contain chemicals that act as a respiratory stimulant.
See also
In Spanish: Lobelia tupa para niños
