Lobelia siphilitica var. ludoviciana A.DC.
Family: Campanulaceae
great blue lobelia
Etymology: Lobelia: after Matthias de l'Obel (1538-1616), a Flemish botanist; also written as Matthias von Lobel
Plants: erect, perennial, 1'-4' tall forb, mostly hairless
Leaves: thin, mostly oblong, narrowing towards the stalkless base, usually less than 3/4" wide
Flowers: blue, 5-parted, 3/4"-1" long, irregularly shaped, top lip 2-parted, lower lip 3-parted; inflorescence a 4"-12" crowded, spike-like cluster (raceme) of 6-20 stalked flowers; blooms Aug.-Sept.
Habitat: full to partial sun; wet to moist; meadows, streambanks, shores; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native