# Kalm's Lobelia (*Lobelia kalmii*) Kalm's Lobelia is a beautiful flower that blooms in bright blue colors. It loves to grow near water and can be found in wetlands. This flower is a favorite for butterflies and bees! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Kalm's Lobelia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lobelia_kalmii.jpg&width=800) Photo: Natalie Helferty, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lobelia_kalmii.jpg) ## Appearance The Kalm's Lobelia has slender, upright stems dotted with delicate, tubular flowers, typically a striking bright blue to lavender. Its small, narrow leaves are scattered along the stem, often growing in a charming cluster. The two-lipped flowers resemble tiny open mouths, making it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Campanulaceae - **Genus:** Lobelia ## Interesting facts - Despite its delicate look, this tough plant thrives in very wet, muddy places! - Finding this plant often means you've discovered a very healthy, thriving wetland! - Its tiny seeds are so light, they can float on water or fly with the wind! - This plant thrives where the water is extra rich in important minerals! ## Special abilities - **Water-Loving Roots:** Kalm's Lobelia can thrive in waterlogged, muddy soil because it has roots adapted to wet, marshy conditions. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Kalm's Lobelia has bright blue flowers that act as a visual signal, attracting various bees for pollination. - **Tiny Seed Traveler:** Kalm's Lobelia produces many tiny seeds that can float on water or be carried by wind to new wet habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-50 cm - **Spread:** 10-20 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-1.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from the blooms - **Pollinates:** Green Metallic Sweat Bee (*Lasioglossum viridatum*) — Forages on its flowers for pollen and nectar ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Tube Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tube-flower): A tube flower has petals fused together at the base, forming a distinct tubular structure that typically holds nectar deep within. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch flowers unless you know they are safe! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Kalm's Lobelia? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Kalm's Lobelia? 10-50 cm ### How wide does Kalm's Lobelia spread? 10-20 cm ### How big are the flowers on Kalm's Lobelia? 1-1.5 cm ### When does Kalm's Lobelia bloom? Late summer to fall ### Is Kalm's Lobelia edible? No ### Is Kalm's Lobelia toxic? Mild ### What is Kalm's Lobelia's lifecycle? Perennial ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Kalm's Lobelia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kalms-lobelia)