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Campanulaceae
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Sincerity, hope, healing.
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Lobelia
- Native to
- Eastern and central North America
- Bloom season
- Late Summer, Fall
- Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 60–120 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist to wet
- Water
- High
- Hardiness
- 4–9
- Lifespan
- Short-lived perennial; reseeds
Did you know
- The species name siphilitica reflects an old (and incorrect) belief that the plant could cure syphilis — Native peoples sold the supposed cure to European settlers in the 1700s.
- It blooms at the same time as cardinal flower and the two often grow side by side in wet meadows, creating spectacular blue-and-red combinations.
- Bumblebees are the primary pollinators because the tubular flowers are too long for honeybees but perfectly sized for bumblebee tongues.
- Great blue lobelia is one of the only true blue native wildflowers in late summer, when most natives are yellow or gold.
- It crosses naturally with cardinal flower to produce hybrids in shades of pink, purple, and rose — the so-called Lobelia × speciosa hybrids.
Color meanings
Blue
Quiet trust