lobelia

noun

lo·​be·​lia lō-ˈbēl-yə  -ˈbē-lē-ə 

1

: any of a genus (Lobelia of the family Campanulaceae, the bellflower family) of widely cultivated plants having terminal clusters of showy lipped flowers

2

: the leaves and tops of Indian tobacco

Examples of lobelia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In frost-free areas (zones 10-11) lobelia can be grown as a winter-to-spring annual. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

Shade-loving plants include anthurium, astilbe, begonia, bleeding heart, bromeliad, caladiums, coleus, cranesbill, ferns, foxglove, hellebore, hostas, impatiens, Lily of the Valley, Liriope, lobelia, lungwort, moneywort, periwinkle, spiderwort, trillium, and viola. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

Coming around to lobelia, its flowers are a royal blue seldom seen in the botanical world. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025

Marigolds, begonias, impatiens, and lobelia tend to work well. —Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025

Low-growing shrubs, tall lobelias, and bushy grasses lined our path, and Abdallah pointed to large, hooved footprints in the dirt, which belonged to Cape Buffalo. —Mary Robnett, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Matthias de Lobel †1616 Flemish botanist

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lobelia

• melia
• telia
• adelia
• borrelia
• camellia
• syringomyelia

Kids Definition

lobelia

noun

lo·​be·​lia lō-ˈbēl-yə 

: any of a genus of widely distributed herbs (as the cardinal flower) often grown for their clusters of showy flowers

Medical Definition

lobelia

noun

lo·​be·​lia lō-ˈbēl-yə  -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