Lobelia tupa
| Lobelia tupa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Lobelia |
| Species: | L. tupa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lobelia tupa | |
Lobelia tupa is a species of Lobelia native to central Chile from Valparaíso south to Los Lagos regions.[1]
It is an evergreen perennial plant growing to 4 m tall. The foliage grey-green, with elliptical leaves 10–15 cm long. The flowers are red, tubular and 2-lipped and are produced in a sympodium pattern. It thrives in dry soils.[1]
Its latex is used as an abortifacient, and the large, felty leaves smoked as a narcotic with possible hallucinogenic effects - whence one of its common names, Tabaco del Diablo (Devil's tobacco). 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).[2][3] 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.[4]
References
- ^ a b Flora Chilena: Lobelia tupa
- ^ Damaj MI, Patrick GS, Creasy KR, Martin BR (July 1997). "Pharmacology of lobeline, a nicotinic receptor ligand". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 282 (1): 410–9. PMID 9223582.
- ^ Miller DK, Harrod SB, Green TA, Wong MY, Bardo MT, Dwoskin LP (January 2003). "Lobeline attenuates locomotor stimulation induced by repeated nicotine administration in rats". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 74 (2): 279–86. doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(02)00996-6. PMID 12479946.
- ^ Plants for a Future: Lobelia tupa
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