Streamside Lobelia Lobelia elongata

Longleaf lobelia is a southeastern native wildflower and can be found in the NC coastal plain along freshwater wetlands.  Most often, it can be found along moving water, such as rivers and streams.  Occasionally seen in ditches and other wet locations such as along the edge of marshes.    

There are several species of Lobelia can be found in North Carolina.  Longleaf lobelia can be distinguished from some other species by a variety of its characteristics, including its leaves, which are thick and stiff, while others in the species have thinner and more flexible leaves.  The leaves are also wider than other species of Lobelia.

Its bright blue flowers also distinguish this plant from other varieties such as Lobelia cardinalis.

It stands erect with its flowers located at the upper 3-5" of the stem.  Each raceme will typically contain up to approximately 20 flowers that are secund, or arranged on one side, however the number of flowers can range from 10 to 40. The purple-blue flowers are two lipped, and have three lobes, which are larger than the lips.  

It will typically die back to ground level in the winter.  The remaining stems can provide a habitat for wintering pollinators.  

Often used in wetlands to control erosion and for stream restoration and wetland mitigation.