Family: Campanulaceae
water lobelia
Corey Raimond
Kitty Kohout
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium (UWSP)
Etymology: Lobelia: after Matthias de l'Obel (1538-1616), a Flemish botanist; also written as Matthias von Lobel
Plants: erect, perennial, 4"-40" tall aquatic, smooth, unbranched; dense, white, fibrous rootstock connected by underground stems
Leaves: basal rosette of fleshy, hollow tubes with rounded, outwardly flaring tips; stem leaves tiny
Flowers: blue to white, 5-parted, 1/3"-3/4" long, irregularly tubular-shaped, top lip 2-parted, lower lip 3-parted; inflorescence a spike-like cluster (raceme) of a few, stalked flowers emerging from the water on a hollow stalk arising from the center of the basal rosette; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: capsule
Habitat: wet; shallows, shores, soft water; in sandy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 4"-40" tall aquatic, smooth, unbranched; dense, white, fibrous rootstock connected by underground stems
Leaves: basal rosette of fleshy, hollow tubes with rounded, outwardly flaring tips; stem leaves tiny
Flowers: blue to white, 5-parted, 1/3"-3/4" long, irregularly tubular-shaped, top lip 2-parted, lower lip 3-parted; inflorescence a spike-like cluster (raceme) of a few, stalked flowers emerging from the water on a hollow stalk arising from the center of the basal rosette; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: capsule
Habitat: wet; shallows, shores, soft water; in sandy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 10, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos
Kitty Kohout
Robert W. Freckmann
Paul Skawinski
Robert W. Freckmann
Paul Skawinski
Kurt Stüber
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration
