Xobelia Jfamil^. 



Indian Tobacco. Lobelia infiata. 



Found iu damp places, and along roadside ditches, in August. 



The leafy, sometimes branching stalk grows from 12 to 18 inches, 

 and is not large, though less slender than the Spiked Lobelia, its texture 

 being also coarser ; it is very slightly rough to the touch, and light 

 green in color. 



The leaves near the foot are about an inch long, and a blunt oval 

 shape ; near the top they become smaller and narrower ; with coarsely 

 toothed margins, a thin texture, and dull green color. They clasp the 

 stalk alternately. 



The flowers are smaller than the other Lobelias mentioned ; the 

 corolla is lilac, with a white spot on the lower lip ; the calyx, whose 5 

 divisions are thread-like, is purplish-green. The flowers, on their little 

 foot-stems, are placed in a scattering fashion upon the stalk to form a 

 long terminal spike ; each flower is supported by a little leaf or bract. 



As the blossoms fall the seed-pods swell into a round and inflated 

 shape, which, together with the scantiness of its bloom, gives the spike 

 an untidy look, unusual in this class of delicate forms and elegant 

 proportions. 



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