Blue Lobelia

Description

Lobelia siphilitica, commonly known as Great Blue Lobelia or Blue Cardinal Flower, is a native perennial forb (wildflower) that prefers moist to wet locations.

The nectar and pollen of the flowers primarily attract bumblebees and other long-tongued bees. Less common visitors include the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, large butterflies, and Halictid bees. The Halictid bees collect pollen only and they are non-pollinating. The caterpillars of Pink-washed Looper Moth feed on the foliage. Most mammalian herbivores don’t eat this plant because the foliage contains several toxic alkaloids, chief among them being lobeline and lobelanine. These toxic substances produce symptoms that resemble nicotine poisoning. However, it has been reported that deer occasionally eat this plant, perhaps enjoying greater immunity to these toxic substances than other animals. The seeds are too small to be of much value to birds.

Most livestock don’t eat this plant because the foliage contains several toxic alkaloids, chief among them being lobeline and lobelanine. These toxic substances produce symptoms that resemble nicotine poisoning.

Easily grown in rich, humusy, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Needs constant moisture. Will tolerate full sun in cool, northern climates, but otherwise appreciates part shade. Divide clumps in spring as needed. May self-seed in optimum growing conditions, forming attractive colonies. Provides late summer color to the perennial border, wild garden, native plant garden, woodland garden or naturalized planting. Also effective near ponds or streams.  The small seeds require light to germinate. Great Blue Lobelia can be highly variable in height, depending on environmental conditions and its stage of development.

Typical habitats include moist black soil prairies, soggy meadows near rivers, low areas along rivers and ponds, floodplain and bottomland woodlands, woodland borders, bottoms of sandstone canyons along streams, swamps, fens, gravelly seeps and springs, ditches, and moist areas of pastures. Great Blue Lobelia can be found in both disturbed areas and high-quality habitats.

This species is commonly used in the following mixes: Wet Meadow Mix

Videos About This Plant

To learn more about this plant, check out our videos about it and its uses.

Wet Meadow Mix | Native Wildflower Mix