Lobelia puberula Michx.

Downy Lobelia

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Downy Lobelia is a native herbaceous perennial in the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). It is found throughout Alabama. Downy Lobelia occurs on creek banks, in swamps, in wet ditches, and in swamps. Plants can be very common after disturbance that has exposed bare soil. Downy Lobelia grows from one to three feet in height. The entire stems has short hairs on it, not just at the base. The sessile leaves are dark green and pubescent below. Their margins are toothed. The stems may be branched near the top, especially if the plant has been damaged. The flowers are blue with a white throat. They vary in size, and several varieties have been named based on flower size and amount of pubescence. The fruit is a capsule filled with many tiny seed. Downy Lobelia can be grown in bog gardens, along creeks or ponds, in areas with poor drainage, and in containers. It is available from some wildflower nurseries or can easily be grown from seed. The tiny seed should be planted on the soil surface and not covered with soil. Cover the container to keep in moisture until the seedlings are large enough to pot individually or in flats.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW- (NWPL)

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