388 LOBELIACE.E. 



ORD. XLVIIL LOBELIACEJE. THE LOBELIA 

 TRIBE. 



Calyx growing from the ovary, 5-lobed, or entire ; 

 corolla of one petal, inserted in the calyx, 5-lobed, irre- 

 gular ; stamens equalling in number the lobes of the 

 corolla, and alternate with them ; anthers united ; ovary 

 inferior, of 1 3 many-seeded cells, opening at the top. 

 The plants comprised in this Order resemble in many 

 respects the Bell-flower Tribe, from which they are 

 mainly distinguished by their irregular corolla and 

 united anthers. Like them, they contain a milky juice, 

 which, however, is more acrid, and they inhabit generally 

 warmer regions. Lobelia inflata (Indian Tobacco) pos- 

 sesses powerful medicinal properties, and when given in 

 over-doses is poisonous. L. cardinalis (Scarlet Cardi- 

 nal), one of our most brilliantly-coloured garden flowers, 

 is also very acrid ; and the rare British species, L. urens- 

 (Acrid Lobelia), derives its name from the blistering 

 properties of its juice. Some species contain a consi- 

 derable quantity of caoutchouc. 



1. LOBELIA. Corolla 2-lipped, the upper part split 

 to the base of the tube. (Name from Matthias Lobel, a 

 Flemish botanist.) 



1. LOBELIA. 



1. L. Dortmanna (Water Lobelia). Leaves almost 

 cylindrical, of 2 parallel tubes. Lakes in the north, 

 frequent. An aquatic plant, often forming a matted 

 bed at the bottom of the water, and sending above the 

 surface slender, almost leafless stems having a long 

 cluster of distant, light blue, drooping flowers. Fl. July, 

 August. Perennial. 



* L. urens (Acrid Lobelia) is a very rare species, 

 found only near Axminster, Devon ; it has a roughish 

 leafy stem, which contains a milky, acrid juice, and 

 leafy clusters of purple flowers. 



