Lobelia kalmii
characteristics
Smooth grass-like stems with spatulate basal leaves, narrow upper leaves. Delicate, irregular shaped flowers bloom at stems end. Flowers are blue with a white centre. A three lobed bottom lip and two lobed upper lip. The flower twists 180 degrees as it matures. The pale blue corolla bears a straight tube divided down the upper side. The anthers may be bearded at the top.
Also known as Kalm's lobelia and Ontario lobelia.
Lobelia means "malevolence": This plant is toxic if eaten in large quantities.
| T | SSN | H | W | sun | soil | H2O | fire | N2 | pH | summer | fall | flower (seed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | 0.3 | 0.1 | S/PS | F-M-C | MW-W | - | - | - | green | gray | blue / white |
habitat
Likes wet areas such as bogs, rocky shores, and meadows.
uses
Attracts hummingbirds.
Used by North American aboriginals to treat respiratory and muscle disorders, and as a purgative.
Current day uses:
asthma, food poisoning, and as part of smoking cessation programs. Also as a physical relaxant (nerve depressant).
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