# Lobelia (*Lobelia erinus*)

Lobelia produces beautiful blue and purple flowers that look like tiny bells. They are perfect for hanging baskets!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and containers
- **Also known as:** Edging Lobelia, Trailing Lobelia

![Lobelia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426727/objects/4978.jpg)

## Appearance

The Lobelia has an abundance of tiny, vibrant blue, purple, or white flowers with contrasting white 'eyes'. Its delicate stems form a low-growing or trailing mound, creating a colourful carpet or waterfall of blooms that really stand out.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Campanulaceae
- **Genus:** Lobelia

## Interesting facts

- Even though they look delicate, some Lobelia can survive chilly weather, even a light frost!
- Lobelia's teeny-tiny seeds are sometimes so small, you need a magnifying glass to see them!
- Some Lobelia species can grow huge, reaching over 6 feet tall, towering like flowery giants!
- The name 'Lobelia' honors a famous plant explorer, Matthias de l'Obel, who loved plants!

## Special abilities

- **Pollinator Magnet:** Lobelia has brightly colored, nectar-rich flowers that attract busy bees and butterflies, helping the plant make new seeds.
- **Bitter Defender:** Lobelia contains special compounds called alkaloids that make it taste bitter or harmful, protecting it from hungry munching animals.
- **Endless Bloomer:** Lobelia can quickly re-bloom after old flowers fade, helping it produce many seeds and spread its plant babies widely.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-20 cm
- **Spread:** 15-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to Autumn
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Moderate
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen for its hive.
- **Pollinates:** Painted Lady butterfly (*Vanessa cardui*) — Sips nectar, carrying pollen to other flowers.
- **Eats:** Spanish slug (*Arion lusitanicus*) — Munching on leaves, especially young Lobelia plants.

## Traits

- [Bell-Shaped Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/bell-shaped-flower): Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [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.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Lobelia?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Lobelia?

10-20 cm

### How wide does Lobelia spread?

15-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Lobelia?

1-2 cm

### When does Lobelia bloom?

Spring to Autumn

### Is Lobelia edible?

No

### Is Lobelia toxic?

Moderate

### What is Lobelia's lifecycle?

Annual

## 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*)

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Source: [Lobelia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lobelia)