Lobelia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- loh-BEE-lee-ah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia) is a genus of 442 species of flowering plants in the bellflower family with a variety of characteristics. Some are annuals, others are perennials, some grow as 2 or 3 foot tall flowers, while others grow as shrubs. There are even some species that grow in water. However, the various species do share alternate, simple leaves and abundant, two-lipped tubular flowers in vibrant colors of white, red, or blue. In general, the Cardinal Flower is a well-traveled plant with species found in all parts of the world. The genus name honors Matthias de l'Obel, a 16th century French physician and botanist.
The Cardinal Flower does best in rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. In general, the genus requires consistent moisture and some shade when grown in areas with hot summers. In the wild, Cardinal Flowers are most often found in bogs and along streams.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests. Snails and slugs are sometimes found among the foliage.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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L. cardinalis
- lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose'
Deep Rose Flowers
L. puberula
Bright red blossoms. Long bloom period. L. elongata
Wide leaves. Blue blossoms. L. erinus
Many cultivars.
Blue blossoms. L. siphilitica
Large blue flowers on tall stalks. Long bloom period. L. spicata
White, red, or blue blossoms. - lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose'
- L. cardinalis, L. elongata, L. erinus, lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose', L. puberula, L. siphilitica, L. spicata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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L. cardinalis
- lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose'
Deep Rose Flowers
L. puberula
Bright red blossoms. Long bloom period. L. elongata
Wide leaves. Blue blossoms. L. erinus
Many cultivars.
Blue blossoms. L. siphilitica
Large blue flowers on tall stalks. Long bloom period. L. spicata
White, red, or blue blossoms. - lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose'
- L. cardinalis, L. elongata, L. erinus, lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose', L. puberula, L. siphilitica, L. spicata
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lobelia
- Family:
- Campanulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia
- Distribution:
- Species can be found throughout the world.
- Edibility:
- Many species are considered poisonous with a toxin similar to nicotine.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- White, scarlet, or blue, 5-parted, tubular and irregular-shaped with 2 lips. The colors tend to be intense and the blossoms abundant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Water Garden
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline, and others, plus a volatile oil
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
