Lobelia puberula
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lobelia puberula, or downy lobelia, is a perennial herbaceous wildflower in the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae) native to eastern and south central United States.[1] It is the most common blue-flowered Lobelia in the Southeast.[2] It grows in mesic (moderate moisture) to hydric (moist) habitats in sun or partial shade.[3][4]
| Lobelia puberula | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Lobelia |
| Species: | L. puberula |
| Binomial name | |
| Lobelia puberula | |
Description
Downy lobelia is a perennial herb that grows up to 2.5 ft (1 m) tall. Leaves are simple with a toothed margin. The flowers are blue to violet, five-lobed, and bloom from July to October.[5]
Lobelia puberula is similar to two other Lobelia species in to the Eastern United States, Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco) and Lobelia siphilitica (great lobelia); all display the characteristic "lip" petal near the opening of the flower and the "milky" liquid the plant excretes.[6]
Ecology
Lobelia puberula is insect pollinated and is recorded to have been visited in northern Florida by Augochloropsis metallica, Bombus pensylvanicus, and Lasioglossum reticulatum. [7]
