Lobelias
What are they?
Lobelias are mostly subtle plants with small blue to pale blue or whitish flowers. They are perhaps best known for the trailing species (Lobelia erinus) which is much-grown as a summer annual in hanging baskets. However, the family also contains many tropical and sub-tropical species with large spikes of rich red, orange or yellow flowers and one of these reaches into our area.
Where are they found?
Most lobelias in the Cape May area are plants of swamps or wet woodland.
Identification
Cardinal-flower is instantly recognizable when in flower; the other species can be less easy and require careful attention to flower and leaf detail.
Cardinal-flower Lobelia cardinalis
A local but fairly frequent plant of swampy, usually shady or semi-shaded ground. Flowers July to September. A spectacular plant when seen in flower and often grown as a marginal plant in garden ponds.
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Downy Lobelia Lobelia puberula
Scattered in a few places in moist ground at the edges of swamps. Not uncommon at Cape May Point State Park. Flowers August to October. The rather densely downy leaves are a good identification feature.
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Indian-tobacco Lobelia inflata
A small plant which may be easily overlooked. May be found in a variety of open habitats, including open woodland, track sides and even disturbed areas. Flowers July to September.
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Nuttall's Lobelia Lobelia nuttallii
Widespread and quite common in damp woodland, often along the edges of shady paths and trails, though easily overlooked as it is rather small and inconspicuous, especially when not in flower. Flowers June to October. This plant is very similar to Canby's Lobelia, but note that the flower stem when viewed from the side does not bulge out at the base of the flower (technically, the ovary is not inflated).
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Canby's Lobelia Lobelia canbyi
Uncommon and known from a few swamps in the north of the county. Flowers July to September. This plant is very similar to Nuttall's Lobelia, but note that the flower stem when viewed from the side bulges out at the base of the flower (technically, the ovary is inflated).
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