Nuttal's Lobelia
Lobelia nuttallii
From Nearctica
Identification: Flowers typical of the lobelias with 5 petals fused into a basal tube. Three lower petal lobes projecting downward. Upper 2 petals curled upward. Flowers small, blue, with a white center and 2 small, green spots at the base of the lower lip. Flowers arising along stem from the leaf axils. Flowering stalks (pedicels) usually shorter than the flower. Upper leaves elongate, grasslike, with smooth outer margins. Lower leaves spatulate. Plant 8 to 30 inches in height.
Distribution: New York and Pennsylvania in the north to Florida and Louisiana in the south, westward to Kentucky.
Habitat: Nuttall's Lobelia is found on sandy soil.
Flowering period: July to October.
Similar Species: Nuttall's Lobelia is almost identical to Brook Lobelia. The flower stalks (pedicels) of Brook Lobelia are elongate, longer than the flower itself. Brook Lobelia is found in wet habitats, but Nuttall's Lobelia is usually found on sandy soils.