Plant Profile: Lobelia spicata

This plant is characterized as an upright herbaceous species, which can be either annual or perennial. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are simple in structure. The flowers, which can be white, scarlet, or blue, are tubular and irregularly shaped, featuring five parts and two distinct lips. The fruit produced is a capsule.

Blooming occurs from summer through fall.

The leaves are lance-shaped or narrowly ovate, measuring between 1 to 3.5 inches, and are light green with nearly smooth edges. The stem is simple, densely covered in fine hairs near the base, while the upper portion remains smooth.

The flowers form a slender, elongated spike, showcasing small blooms that range from pale purplish-blue to bluish-white. The flower structure includes two narrow lobes at the top and three broader lobes at the bottom, creating a lip-like appearance.

Lobelia is commonly found in various habitats, including meadows, fields, thickets, and dry sandy soils, as well as in forests and natural areas, particularly in moist woods and along stream edges. It is also cultivated in flower gardens, where it can be part of both annual and perennial herbaceous plantings.

For further details on Lobelia, additional information is available.