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Lobelia spicata (Palespike lobelia)
Smith, R.W.

Lobelia spicata Lam.

Palespike lobelia, Pale-spike lobelia

Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)

Synonyms: Lobelia spicata var. hirtella, Lobelia hirtella, Lobelia spicata var. leptostachys, Lobelia leptostachys

USDA Symbol: LOSP

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A single, slender stem rises 1-2 ft. from pale-spike lobelia’s small rosette of basal foliage. The stem bears a delicate spike of pale-blue, two-lipped flowers. Small, bilaterally symmetrical, lavender to purplish-blue to bluish-white flowers in an elongated, slender, spike-like cluster; stem leafy, often reddish and hairy at base, smooth above. Pale-spike lobelia is a perennial.

This is a highly variable species with several varieties recognized by botanists.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , NB , ON , SK
Native Distribution: S.e. Canada to Sask. & n.e. MT, s. to GA, AL, MS, LA & e. TX
Native Habitat: Prairies; open woodlands
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Moist to dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Warning: The leaves, seeds, and roots of some plants of the Lobelia genus contain poisonous substances and have caused fatalities in humans and animals when ingested. All plants in the genus may contain toxins and should not be ingested. POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma. Toxic Principle: Alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline, and others, plus a volatile oil. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds

Propagation

Description: Scratch seeds lightly onto the soil surface. Use fresh or stratified seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Moist stratify for 2 months at 40 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lobelia spicata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lobelia spicata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lobelia spicata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-07-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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