Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica L., Native Minnesota Wildflower plant, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, blue Cardinal flower

(Blue Cardinal Flower). Lobelias have 2-lipped flowers with a 2-lobed upper lip and a 3-lobed lower lip. The 5-parted blue flowers of this plant are about 1 inch long with the flower's inflated tube striped underneath. Stamens are united with the pistil (see Eloise Butler's notes below). Flowers are stalked on a crowded raceme, 4 - 12" tall, rising above the leaves. Leaves are alternate, toothed, oblong and tapering to a stalkless base, on stems one to three feet high. At maturity seeds form in a 2-celled capsule, that opens at the top. Many small seeds are in the capsules. Seeds collected in the fall can be planted immediately. They do not require cold stratification, but do require light. Separating and planting the basal rosettes of mature plants will also produce new plants. These grow from the plants rhizomes and separation can be done fall or spring. Stem cuttings can also be propagated. All together, a versatile plant to grow. Like the Cardinal flower, this Lobelia prefers a wet to moist soil and full to partial sun. The genus Lobelia is named after the Flemish botanist Matthias de l'Obel (1538-1616), who, when he moved to England as physician to James I, anglicized his name to Matthew Lobel, hence "lobelia."

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Great Blue Lobelia	Lobelia siphilitica L.	Bellflower (Campanulaceae)	Woodland and Upland	Autumn
Other names and notes	(Blue Cardinal Flower). Lobelias have 2-lipped flowers with a 2-lobed upper lip and a 3-lobed lower lip. The 5-parted blue flowers of this plant are about 1 inch long with the flower's inflated tube striped underneath. Stamens are united with the pistil (see Eloise Butler's notes below). Flowers are stalked on a crowded raceme, 4 - 12" tall, rising above the leaves. Leaves are alternate, toothed, oblong and tapering to a stalkless base, on stems one to three feet high. At maturity seeds form in a 2-celled capsule, that opens at the top. Many small seeds are in the capsules. Seeds collected in the fall can be planted immediately. They do not require cold stratification, but do require light. Separating and planting the basal rosettes of mature plants will also produce new plants. These grow from the plants rhizomes and separation can be done fall or spring. Stem cuttings can also be propagated. All together, a versatile plant to grow. Like the Cardinal flower, this Lobelia prefers a wet to moist soil and full to partial sun. The genus Lobelia is named after the Flemish botanist Matthias de l'Obel (1538-1616), who, when he moved to England as physician to James I, anglicized his name to Matthew Lobel, hence "lobelia."