lobelia siphilitica - great blue lobelia/Blue Cardinal Flower/Highbelia
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is an erect perennial that grows from 2 to 4 feet tall. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, and toothed. They are from 3 to 5 inches in length. The flowers are borne in a raceme, usually blue but have rarely been shown to be white, up to 1 inch long, with a 2-lipped corolla. The corolla tube is striped beneath and has a slightly inflated appearance. The leaves tend to be reduced in size as they go upward on the inflorescence.
The Great Blue Lobelia blooms from August to September. It is commonly found in swamps, streambanks, or in roadside ditches and is considered frequent throughout the eastern 2/3 of the United States.
The lower petals of the flower tend to provide a landing pad for bees as they crawl into the corolla to get nectar. As the bee continues into the flower the pollen is wiped on its back. However, some bees have been known to chew a hole in the base of the flower and take the nectar that way. Bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies will also visit the flowers. This is a commonly cultivated species and is available from many commercial sources.
The Great Blue Lobelis was used by Native Americans to treat respiratory and muscular conditions. European settlers once thought this could be a cure for syphilis, thus its species name siphilitica.
The Great Blue Lobelia blooms from August to September. It is commonly found in swamps, streambanks, or in roadside ditches and is considered frequent throughout the eastern 2/3 of the United States.
The lower petals of the flower tend to provide a landing pad for bees as they crawl into the corolla to get nectar. As the bee continues into the flower the pollen is wiped on its back. However, some bees have been known to chew a hole in the base of the flower and take the nectar that way. Bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies will also visit the flowers. This is a commonly cultivated species and is available from many commercial sources.
The Great Blue Lobelis was used by Native Americans to treat respiratory and muscular conditions. European settlers once thought this could be a cure for syphilis, thus its species name siphilitica.