Lobelia siphilitica - (image 1 of 5)
Taxonomy
Family: Lobeliaceae
Habitat
Marshy streams and pond borders. Calcareous fens. Sandy pond shores. Occasionally in moist woods
Associates
In marshy ground with Asclepias incarnata, Boehmeria cylindrica, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Helenium autumnale, Iris virginica, Leersia oryzoides, Lysimachia ciliata, Mimulus ringens, Verbena hastata.
Distribution
Morphology
Herbaceous perennial to 4' high. Basal leaves to 6" long, lanceolate to oval, sometimes irregularly toothed, light green; stem leaves alternate, decreasing in size up the stem, sessile. Flowers; corollas blue, 5-lobed, less than 3cm long, the lower lip striped with white; calyx with conspicuous auricles at the base; stamens 5. Fruit a capsule.
Notes
Flowers late July to early October.
Wetland indicator: Obligate
Similar to L. cardinalis vegetatively. A good garden plant that can be grown together with cardinal flower. Attractive to both hummingbirds and bumblebees.
References
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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Michael Hough © 2005 |