Lobelia spp.

Lobelia spp. is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The reported severity is moderate. Also known as Lobelias, Typical Lobelias and Bellflower Family.

dogs cats horses

Mild Moderate Severe Critical

If your animal ate this plant, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661. Fees may apply.

Symptoms to watch for

Depression Diarrhea Vomiting Drooling Abdominal Pain Cardiac Arrhythmias

The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.

About

Lobelia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Campanulaceae comprising 444 species, with a subcosmopolitan distribution primarily in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, a few species extending into cooler temperate regions. They are known generally as lobelias.

How this plant poisons

Many members of the genus are considered poisonous, with some containing the toxic principle lobeline. Because of lobeline's similarity to nicotine, the internal use of lobelia may be dangerous to susceptible populations, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiac disease. Excessive use will cause nausea and vomiting. It is not recommended for use by pregnant women and is best administered by a practitioner qualified in its use. It also has a chemical known as lobellicyonycin, which may cause dizziness.

Common Names

  • Lobelias
  • Typical Lobelias
  • Bellflower Family
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Great Blue Lobelia
  • Lobelia Subfamily
  • Indian Tobacco
  • Garden Lobelia
  • Downy Lobelia
  • Pale-Spiked Lobelia
  • Kalm's Lobelia
  • Punakuru
  • Pineleaf Lobelia
  • White Root
  • Sierra Madre Lobelia
  • Pānakenake
  • Water Lobelia
  • Glade Lobelia
  • May Lily
  • Common Pratia
  • Bractless Lobelias
  • Crownleaf Lobelia
  • Tall Lobelia
  • Matted Pratia
  • Nuttall's Lobelia
  • Twobract Lobelias
  • Bay Lobelia
  • Fringeleaf Lobelia

Also recorded as Giant Lobelia and Lobelia.

Related plants

More from the Campanulaceae family:

Browse all 281 plants

Facts

Family
Campanulaceae
Duration
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Growth habit
Forb/herb, Shrub, Subshrub
In the wild
US, AU, GB, ZA, FR, CA + more
Source
Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Elsewhere

Countries with the most wild observations, from GBIF data.