Lobelia
Lobelia spp.
Subfamily Lobelioideae
Family Campanulaceae

Characteristics:
* Flowers blue to purple, sometimes striped with white and with a white center. 2 narrow lobes above, 3 wider lobes forming a lip below.
* Flowers always ascend stem of plant; some species have flower spikes while others alternating leaves and flowers.
* Leaves ovate, sometimes toothed, sometimes pointed.
* Height: 4"-3'.

Natural History:
* Flowers June - October, usually mid to late summer.
* Habitat: Open woodlands, meadows, bogs, shores, pond edges. Often cultivated in gardens.
* Range: Throughout northeastern North America.
* Native.

Connections!
* Lobeline, one of 14 alkaloids in the lobelia plant, satisfies the need for nicotine without being addictive, and is used in lozenges and gum designed to help smokers quit their habit. Native Americans, however, often smoked lobelia leaves for asthma, bronchitis, sore throats, and coughs.