Lobelia tupa, commonly called Devil’s tobacco, is a perennial plant native to central Chile. It is in the bellflower family of Campanulaceae and the sub-family Lobelioideae. L. tupa is considered to be a sacred plant to the Mapuche of south Chile because of the numerous pharmacologically active chemicals in the plant. The large felty leaves are traditionally smoked and are said to have a hallucinogenic effect. The plant has also been used to treat nicotine addiction because it contains a nicotine-related compound called lobeline, named after the genus. The latex extracted from L. tupa is sometimes used as an abortifacient. USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10.
Sow the Lobelia tupa seeds on the surface of a well draining potting mix. Gently water the seeds to prevent them from becoming buried. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet and place the seeds in a bright area between 65°F and 75°F for best results. Seeds typically take 10 to 15 days to germinate, but can take longer. Even with optimal conditions, germination may be slow and sporadic.
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All packages will be shipped with basic customs information such as; HS codes, VAT numbers, and properly labeled contents. Unfortunately, The Garden of Set is unable to provide phytosanitary certificates for orders at this time. It is the buyer’s responsibility to know local laws regarding the import of plants, seeds, and plant products into their country. It is also up to the buyer to provide any other customs forms or information required to import plants into their country. If packages get stopped by customs, The Garden of Set will not be able to provide a refund for the purchase. Most of the time packages make it to their destinations just fine, this is for the small minority of packages that get stopped without having all the proper customs information required by the country of import. Purchase at your own discretion.