Whomever came up with this name for this lovely plant was having a very bad day indeed. Lobelia siphilitica is hardly reflective of the graceful beauty of this flower. But maybe Lobelia has been used to treat some of the secondary symptoms of that dreaded disease, hence the name. I wouldn't be surprised, given how many ailments Lobelia is helpful with. Mostly known for its effectiveness in bringing relief to asthma sufferers, Lobelia, or Indian Tobacco, is a powerhouse of phytochemicals and shouldn't be utilized by the inexperienced herbalist, since it can heal or it can kill, depending on dosage and on individual patients' condition. I took this photograph last Summer, at the Union Square Market in NYC. What you see behind our lovely subject is the fountain located right by the subway entrance. Which goes to show that beauty can be found everywhere, at any given moment, if given a chance.