Kingdom Plantae Family Campanulaceae Genus Lobelia | Order Asterales Subfamily Lobelioideae Rank Species | |
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Similar Lobelia niihauensis, Lobelia kalmii, Lobelia aberdarica, Gentiana saponaria, Lobelia thapsoidea | ||
Downy lobelia lobelia puberula
Lobelia puberula, or downy lobelia, is a perennial herbaceous wildflower in the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae) native to eastern and south central United States. It is common in much of its range. It grows in mesic (moderate moisture) to hydric (moist) habitats in sun or partial shade.
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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.
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.
