Lobelia species are annual or perennial herbs or undershrubs, rarely shrubby, although the “tree” lobelias found at high elevations on the mountains of tropical Africa are remarkable arborescent forms. The genus has a great diversity of forms, and species frequently appear dissimilar from each other.

Lobelia is a group of flowering plants native to North America. Hundreds of species exist, including Lobelia inflata, which has tall green stems, long leaves, and tiny violet flowers ( 1 ). Native Americans in the New England region of the United States used Lobelia inflata for medicinal and ceremonial purposes for centuries.