[1] Lobelia tupa is an evergreen perennial plant which grows up to 4 m tall and thrives in dry soils.

[1] The foliage is grey-green, with felty elliptical leaves 10–15 cm long.

The plant has numerous ethnobotanical uses due to its pharmaceutically active alkaloids.

The latex is used as an abortifacient, and the large, felty leaves are smoked as a narcotic with possible hallucinogenic effects - whence one of its common names, Tabaco del Diablo (Devil's tobacco).

Tupa leaves have also been found to contain chemicals that act as a respiratory stimulant.