Lobelia puberula
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- loh-BEE-lee-a pyu-BER-yuh-luh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Downy lobelia is a perennial herbaceous wildflower in the bellflower family (Campanulaceae) native to the eastern and south-central United States. It is the most common blue-flowered Lobelia in the Southeast and can be found in wet soils, bogs, meadows, woodlands, swamps, prairies and open fields.
Blue Lobelia grows 2 to 4 feet tall and prefers moist acidic soils in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate both periods of wet and dry soil. Although it is considered short-lived, it will produce many seeds for propagation.
Flowering begins in late summer into fall with bluish-purple flowers on a terminal spike. The hairy evergreen basal leaves are oval, 3 to 5 inches long, and the stem leaves are sessile (stemless). Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
Use downy lobelia in the border of a pollinator, cottage, native or rain garden. Plant with other fall bloomers as asters and goldenrods.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs may damage the foliage. Watch for aphids and spider mites. Potential diseases are gray mold, root and stem rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lobelia
- Species:
- puberula
- Family:
- Campanulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and south central United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. Bees are pollinators of this plant.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is frequently damaged by deer.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Rounded capsule with many seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The Downy lobelia features irregularly shaped, .75 in. blue flowers with a white center. The upper lip has two lobes and the lower lip has three lobes. The flower spike is often one-sided. Blooms late summer to fall, August-October.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Downy lobelia has soft, alternate, oval to lance-shaped, sessile stem leaves, each 2 to 5 inches long. The leaves generally have small, irregularly spaced teeth. They may be hairy, particularly on the underside. The basal leaves are in a rosette and often persist through winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are rounded, green, often with purple and hairy
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- 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:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
