Lobelia puberula, or downy lobelia, is a perennial herbaceous wildflower in the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae) native to eastern and south central United States. It is the most common blue-flowered Lobelia in the Southeast. It grows in mesic (moderate moisture) to hydric (moist) habitats in sun or partial shade.Missouri Plants
Description Downy lobelia is a perennial herb that grows up to tall. Leaves are simple with a toothed margin. The flowers are blue to violet, five-lobed, and bloom from July to October.North Carolina Wildflowers
Lobelia puberula is similar to two other Lobelia species in to the Eastern United States, Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco) and Lobelia siphilitica (great lobelia); all display the characteristic "lip" petal near the opening of the flower and the "milky" liquid the plant excretes.
Ecology
Lobelia puberula is insect pollinated and is recorded to have been visited in northern Florida by Augochloropsis metallica, Bombus pensylvanicus, and Lasioglossum reticulatum. Ulyshen, M. D., K. Robertson, S. Horn, and C. Dixon. 2024. Characterization of the bee community and pollination network in a southeastern U.S. pine savanna. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 12:1403602.
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