lobelia
noun
lo·be·lia lō-ˈbēl-yə 
-ˈbē-lē-ə
-ˈbē-lē-ə 1
: any of a genus (Lobelia of the family Lobeliaceae, the lobelia family) of widely cultivated plants having terminal clusters of showy lipped flowers
2
: the leaves and tops of Indian tobacco
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Bright-red perennial lobelia cardinalis and astilbe are summer wetland flowers that require extra water. 
Carol Stocker, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2022 Grace and Olivia Thompson were recognized in a Photos by Kids category for images of a blue lobelia and lily pads on a pond. Bill Jones, chicagotribune.com, 19 Oct. 2021 Instead plant shade-tolerant perennial geranium, lady’s mantle, hellebore, bleeding heart, coral bell, hydrangea, begonia, annual lobelia, astilbe, and Japanese anemone. Boston.com Real Estate, 21 Aug. 2019 Or try native woodland wildflowers such as perennial lobelia, mayapple, columbine, thalictrum, amsonia, blood root, Solomon seal, and phlox. Boston.com Real Estate, 21 Aug. 2019 Along with new insect and fish species, staff at the Australian National Herbarium also named six new plant species, including two daises, two orchids, a lobelia and a trumpet vine. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2019 Where other primates might scamper up trees to flee, the tallest vegetation here is often giant lobelia and torch lilies. Craig Welch, National Geographic, 28 Mar. 2019 The numerous varieties of flowering plants like impatiens, spikes, lobelia and mums, have been carefully cultivated and timed to be ripe with color just as the seasons change. Michael Sangiacomo, cleveland.com, 13 May 2018 Flower to start from seeds: lobelia, pansies, rhodochitons, fibrous begonias, foxglove and hollyhock. Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2018 See More
Carol Stocker, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2022 Grace and Olivia Thompson were recognized in a Photos by Kids category for images of a blue lobelia and lily pads on a pond. Bill Jones, chicagotribune.com, 19 Oct. 2021 Instead plant shade-tolerant perennial geranium, lady’s mantle, hellebore, bleeding heart, coral bell, hydrangea, begonia, annual lobelia, astilbe, and Japanese anemone. Boston.com Real Estate, 21 Aug. 2019 Or try native woodland wildflowers such as perennial lobelia, mayapple, columbine, thalictrum, amsonia, blood root, Solomon seal, and phlox. Boston.com Real Estate, 21 Aug. 2019 Along with new insect and fish species, staff at the Australian National Herbarium also named six new plant species, including two daises, two orchids, a lobelia and a trumpet vine. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2019 Where other primates might scamper up trees to flee, the tallest vegetation here is often giant lobelia and torch lilies. Craig Welch, National Geographic, 28 Mar. 2019 The numerous varieties of flowering plants like impatiens, spikes, lobelia and mums, have been carefully cultivated and timed to be ripe with color just as the seasons change. Michael Sangiacomo, cleveland.com, 13 May 2018 Flower to start from seeds: lobelia, pansies, rhodochitons, fibrous begonias, foxglove and hollyhock. Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Matthias de Lobel †1616 Flemish botanist
First Known Use
1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
lobelia
noun
lo·be·lia lō-ˈbēl-yə -ˈbē-lē-ə
-ˈbē-lē-ə 1
capitalized : any of a genus (Lobelia of the family Lobeliaceae, the lobelia family) of widely distributed herbaceous plants (as Indian tobacco)
2
: the leaves and tops of Indian tobacco used especially formerly as an expectorant and antispasmodic