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Campanulaceae
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Healing and hope.
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Lobelia
- Native to
- Eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 2-3 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist, rich, slightly acidic
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- 3-9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The species name siphilitica reflects the mistaken 18th-century belief that it could cure syphilis.
- Native Americans, particularly the Iroquois, used root preparations to treat various conditions including coughs and fevers.
- It is pollinated primarily by bumblebees, which are heavy enough to push open the flower's lower lip to access nectar.
- Unlike its red cousin Lobelia cardinalis, which attracts hummingbirds, the blue species relies almost entirely on bee pollination.
- The plant contains alkaloids similar to nicotine, including lobeline, which was once investigated as a smoking cessation aid.
Color meanings
0
healing
1
hope
2
admiration