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Lobelia siphilitica Linnaeus. Common name: Great Blue Lobelia. Phenology: Late Jul-Oct. Habitat: Bottomlands, moist forests, ditches, wet meadows, streambanks. Distribution: ME, ON, MN, and WY, south to GA, AL, MS, AR, and TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, K4, Mi, Mo2, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, W, Spaulding & Barger (2016); ~ Lobelia siphilitica L. var. densiflora (J.Rennie) E.Wimm.; > Lobelia siphilitica L. var. ludoviciana A.DC. — C, F, G, GrPl, GW2, Il, NcTx, Tx, McVaugh (1936a); > Lobelia siphilitica L. var. siphilitica — C, F, G, GrPl, GW2, Il, NE, NY, Va, McVaugh (1936a). Basionym: Lobelia siphilitica L. 1753

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
  • Great Plains: OBL
  • Midwest: OBL
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACW

Heliophily ⓘ: 7

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image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Grant Morrow Parkins | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Rob Gardner | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Showy, erect perennial of bottomlands, moist forests, ditches, wet meadows and stream banks.

Stems: Stems stout, leafy, sometimes branched above.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile, oval to oblong-lance-shaped, 2-5 in. long, with rough hairs above.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in a dense, narrow, terminal raceme, each on an ascending stalk flanked by 2 leafy bracts; deep-blue (rarely white); 1-1½ in. long; bilaterally symmetric and tubular; opening to 2 spreading lips, the upper one split into 2 narrow, erect lobes and the lower lip divided into 3 wider lobes with white marks at the base.

Fruits: Fruit an oval to round capsule.

Comments:

Height: 1.5-4 ft.

plant sale text: Spikes of lovely blue flowers rise above sturdy plants in late summer. In the wild, great blue lobelia is frequently seen growing in wet meadows and low areas. This adaptable southeastern native perennial will thrive in your perennial border. The blue flowers add a welcome "cool" touch in the summer garden. This perennial is also attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Used medicinally by Native Americans. 1993 N.C Wildflower of the Year

bloom table text:

description: Showy, erect perennial of bottomlands, moist forests, ditches, wet meadows and stream banks.

stems: Stems stout, leafy, sometimes branched above.

leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile, oval to oblong-lance-shaped, 2-5 in. long, with rough hairs above.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in a dense, narrow, terminal raceme, each on an ascending stalk flanked by 2 leafy bracts; deep-blue (rarely white); 1-1½ in. long; bilaterally symmetric and tubular; opening to 2 spreading lips, the upper one split into 2 narrow, erect lobes and the lower lip divided into 3 wider lobes with white marks at the base.

fruits: Fruit an oval to round capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code: 1,4

native range: eastern & central N. America



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