description Great Blue Lobelia Overview
Great blue lobelia (*Lobelia siphilitica*) is an erect, herbaceous perennial wildflower native to moist woodlands and streambanks in eastern North America. It produces dense terminal spikes of bright blue, tubular flowers that bloom from late summer into early autumn. Its specific epithet, *siphilitica*, reflects its historical use by Indigenous peoples and early settlers in attempting to treat syphilis, though the plant possesses no actual efficacy for the disease.
help Great Blue Lobelia FAQ
Why does Great Blue Lobelia have the scientific name Lobelia siphilitica?
The species name reflects a historical belief that the plant could treat syphilis. That old medicinal claim is preserved in the Latin name, but the plant should not be used as a modern treatment.
Does Great Blue Lobelia need wet soil?
It performs best in consistently moist soil and is naturally associated with stream edges, wet meadows, and low woodland. It can tolerate ordinary garden conditions better than some wetland specialists if the soil does not dry out severely.
Is Great Blue Lobelia related to Cardinal Flower?
Yes. Great Blue Lobelia is Lobelia siphilitica, while the red-flowered Cardinal Flower is Lobelia cardinalis, and both are North American members of the same genus.
What pollinates Great Blue Lobelia's tubular flowers?
Bumblebees are important pollinators because they are strong enough to enter the flower and contact its reproductive structures. The blue blossoms also attract other native insects during the late-summer flowering period.
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