A 2–4 ft perennial with tall spikes of striking blue tubular flowers. Companion to red cardinal flower in wet eastern habitats — both are bumblebee magnets.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Lobelia siphilitica, the great blue lobelia, great lobelia, or blue cardinal flower, is a plant species within the family Campanulaceae. It is an herbaceous perennial dicot native to eastern and central Canada and United States. There are two recognized varieties of Lobelia siphilitica, var. siphilitica and var. ludoviciana. Blooming from August to October, it is short-lived, lasting only for a few years.
Source: Wikipedia — Lobelia siphilitica Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Tall plant with lance-shaped leaves; spikes of brilliant blue tubular flowers in late summer.
Similar species. Cardinal Flower (red flowers; same genus). Other Lobelia species.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Native wildflower with brilliant blue spikes of tubular flowers. Important bumble bee plant.
§ Range
Eastern North America
§ Habitat
Wet meadows, stream banks, swamps
§ Threats
Wetland loss, garden monocultures, deer browsing.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the great lobelia is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant in wet garden corners. Support wetland protection.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Lobelia siphilitica
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Lobelia siphilitica
- iNaturalist · taxon 53162
- IUCN Red List — search for Lobelia siphilitica
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Lobelia siphilitica
§ Sources cited
- USDA Plants Database
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
