Blue lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica L.
Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, stout, simple or sometimes branched, leafy, glabrous or slightly hairy.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, oblong to lanceolate, 1 to 6 inches long, .25 to 1.75 inch wide, glabrous or slightly pubescent; margins irregularly toothed; tips pointed; upper leaves reduced in size.
- Inflorescence
- Racemes, 4 to 20 inches long, 3-60-flowered, terminal; bracts leaf-like below, reduced above.
- Flower
- 5-lobed; calyx bell-shaped, glabrous or bristly hairy, lobes persistent; corollas about 1 inch long, bright blue to pale blue with white stripes at throat; lower lobes 3, prominent; upper lobes 2, erect or curving backward.
- Fruit
- Capsules, spherical to cup-shaped, about 1/4 inch long; seeds oval, chestnut-brown.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Moist soils of seeps, marshes, and stream banks.
- Distribution
- East 2/3 of Kansas.
Additional Notes
Comments
The Cherokee steeped leaves of blue lobelia to make teas used to treat colds, fevers, and rheumatism.
Special Notes: Blue lobelia is related to cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis).
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Campanulaceae - Bellflower family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 1-3 feet
- Last Updated
- 2021-02-20
Color Groups
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: August, September, October