great blue lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Description:
Sometimes called blue cardinal flower, great blue lobelia likes full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Plants grow from 1′-4′ tall. Blooms with multiples flowers on a single stalk from mid summer through fall. It wants medium to moist soil and does not tolerate drought. Often found in ditches or on wetland fens. Once established lobelia can form large patches. Each plant is a short lived perennial (with each plant living for only a few years).
Growing:
Great lobelia likes rich moist soils with plenty of humus. Plants can be divided in the early spring. Plants will grow from seed if given good growing conditions.
Warning:
All parts are poisonous. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma. Toxic Principle: Alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline, and others, plus a volatile oil. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Details:
great blue lobelia
USDA Symbol: | Common Name: | Scientific Name: |
---|---|---|
LOSI | great blue lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica |
ITIS TSN: 34531
Category: Dicot
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom:
Super Division: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Subdivision:
Class: Magnoliopsida
SubClass: Asteridae
Order: Campanulales
Family: Campanulaceae
Duration: | Growth Habit: | Native Status: |
---|---|---|
Perennial | Forb/herb | Native |
Noxious Weed: | Invasive Species (NR40): | Threatened/Endangered: | WI Natural Heritage Index: |
---|---|---|---|
Native |
Active Growth Period: spring-summer-fall
After Harvest Regrowth Rate:
Bloat:
Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio:
Coppice Potential:
Conspicuous Fall Color: Yes
Fire Resistant: No
Flower Color:
Conspicuous Flower: Yes
Foliage Color: Green
Foliage Light Porosity Summer:
Foliage Porosity Winter:
Foliage Texture:
Fruit/Seed Color: Black
Fruit/Seed Conspicuous: No
Growth Form: Single Stem
Growth Rate:
Height at Base Age (Max):
Height at Maturity:
Known Alelopath: No
Leaf Retention: No
Lifespan:
Low Growing Grass: No
Re-sproutability:
Shape and Orientation: Erect
Toxicity: Moderate
Height (min): 12
Height (max): 48
Root Type: Fibrous
Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils:
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils:
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils:
Anaerobic Tolerance:
CaCO3 Tolerance:
Cold Stratification Required:
Drought Tolerance: Low
Fertility Requirement:
_Fire Tolerance:
Frost Free Days, Minimum:
Hedge Tolerance: None
Moisture Use: Medium, High
pH (Minimum):
pH (Maximum):
Planting Density per Acre, Minimum:
Planting Density per Acre, Maximum:
Precipitation (Minimum):
Precipitation (Maximum):
Root Depth, Minimum (inches):
Salinity Tolerance:
Shade Tolerance: Partial
Temperature, Minimum (°F):
Plant Spacing (min): 12
Plant Spacing (max): 12
Bloom Period: | Commercial Availability: | Fruit/Seed Abundance: |
---|---|---|
Summer | Routinely Available | Medium |
Fruit/Seed Period Begin: | Fruit/Seed Period End: | Fruit/Seed Persistence: |
---|---|---|
Summer | Fall | Yes |
Propogated by Bare Root: | Propogated by Bulbs: | Propogated by Container: |
---|---|---|
No | No | Yes |
Propogated by Corms: | Propogated by Cuttings: | Propogated by Seed: |
---|---|---|
No | No | Yes |
Propogated by Sod: | Propogated by Sprigs: | Propogated by Tubers: |
---|---|---|
No | No | No |
Seeds per Pound: | Seed Spread Rate: | Seedling Vigor: |
---|---|---|
7520000 | Moderate |
Small Grain: | Vegetative Spread Rate: | Propagation Treatment: |
---|---|---|
No | Moist Stratification |
Days to Stratify: | Direct Sowing Time: |
---|---|
30 | early-springspring |
Berry/Nut/Seed Product: | Christmas Tree Product: | Fodder Product: |
---|---|---|
No | No | No |
Fuelwood Product: | Lumber Product: | Naval Store Product: |
---|---|---|
-- | No | No |
Nursery Stock Product: | Palatable Browse Animal: | Palatable Graze Animal: |
---|---|---|
No | -- | -- |
Palatable Human: | Post Product: | Protein Potential: |
---|---|---|
No | No | -- |
Pulpwood Product: | Veneer Product: | Benefits: |
---|---|---|
No | No | Birds, Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Host Plant, Hummingbirds, Pollinators |
Locations:
WisFlora Database detailed list of herbarium samples collected across Wisconsin including the location of each.
References:
USDA Plants Database
Wisconsin Virtual Flora Database
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center