Lobelia erinus is a low - grow , herbaceous recurrent flowering flora in Campanulaceae . It is native to Asia but can be find out in most regions of North America .
The blossoms are blue to violet in untamed flora , with a five - lobed corolla 8–20 millimetre across . Around 0.5 to 4.5 inches long , efflorescence stems are 5 inches long . The epicene person peak is zygomorphic with up to 1 - cm distance and quinate with a three-fold perigonium . The five sepal are intertwined . L. erinus has two stamen and two stigma .
For more than 200 years , the delightful floral accents of Lobelia have been help gardener to bring a bit of kind to their flower layer . The common Lobelia is a perennial with an involvement in circularize , produce best when plant in containers or given plenty of room to roam detached . Its trailing branches reach out as far as potential and will chase along the solid ground if given a hazard .
Lobelia erinus flowers
Lobelia erinus is one of the most common species used for floral design in traditional floral art shape , and it is often bear on to as the “ blue lobelia . ” Even though it ’s a aboriginal of North America , many people verify that its beautiful drab colouration , distinctive form , and leafy drug abuse make it perfect for any natural landscape design . Although it is classified as an annual , this perennial efflorescence can exist in cold part during the winter month in areas like Zone 7b .
The little - known secret about lobelia flowers is that they are one of the best flowering plants for attract wing or flying insects such as bees and butterfly stroke .
Lobelia erinus plant facts
Common Name : Dew flower Scientific
class : N / A aboriginal
Origin : Mexico , Guatemala , Honduras , and other component part of South America Foliage
Color : Pink to purple leafage , Yellow or orange flowers , or both
Flowering Periods : Spring & Summer
Soil Type : dampish soil weather condition
maturation Rate : Slow
water supply requirement : Like most flora , it needs reasonable amounts of water . It needs moderate to in high spirits water requirements .
See Also : Monstera Plants
Lobelia erinus common names
It is also known as Lobelia cardinalis , Lobelia ciliaris , Lobelia fulgens , Lobelia fruticosa , Lobelia grandiflora , and others . Its Scientific name is Lobelia . The plant ’s scientific name come from the Romance Scripture “ lobilus , ” mean ‘ little frog , ’ and “ erus , ” meaning ‘ ear . ’ It was named due to its resemblance to a second of a frog ’s head , with elongate lips .
How many varieties of Lobelia are there?
There are more than 400 mintage of flora in the genus Lobelia . However , the mintage known as Lobelia is only grow for its cryptical blue flowers . The variety of colors would make anyone think that it ’s more than one mintage , but just one kind of Lobelia is called “ Lobelia erinus . ” This mintage has been known by many names such as Lobelia cardinalis , Lobelia ciliaris , Lobelia fulgens , Lobelia fruticosa , Lobelia Grandiflora , and many others other name , each accredit a specific fluctuation .
Lobelia erinus annual or perennial?
Generally , it is study a perennial that lives for at least 2 year . The lobelia plant does not require much maintenance and only needs to be watered occasionally during dry periods . This works can maturate up to four foot marvellous and spread up to four feet wide . If planted in the backyard , it can form a beautiful blanket of flowers in the summer months .
Types of situations where lobelia erinus grows well
Lobelia erinus grows well in open grasslands and disturbed areas with sparse vegetation . It does best in full sunlight and prefers moist , acidulous dirt . Aged manure or compost is an excellent fertilizer for this flora . The plants can uprise up to 15 inches tall and blossom throughout the summertime month .
How to grow lobelia erinus from seed?
To germinate the seeds :
To start transplanting lobelia erinus into low wad , sow them in later summertime or fall as shortly as potential after train the seed . The seeds need Inner Light to germinate , so sow in directly into plenty with about 1/4 in of soil or blend them with sterilized sand to make an ideal culture medium for sprouting . apply a sterile potting commixture that turn back peat and vermiculite , sand , and perlite . A good miscellanea is equal part of coarse sand , peat moss , and vermiculite . Sow the Lobelia erinus cum more or less 3 mm late in the culture medium and grade the pot in a warm area to bourgeon .
How to grow lobelia erinus from seed in a greenhouse?
To grow lobelia erinus from a nursery , sow the seed straightaway into pots or trays containing a sterile develop culture medium such as sand or compost with adequate share of perlite or coarse timber bark . Sow three come about 1 cm deeply every six inches apart in each pot or tray .
When the seeds germinate , move them to a warm location that has at least 6 hour of direct sunlight each day to expend the first two seasons . As seedling rise , change the light as require . Once they are 2 or 3 inches marvellous , they get down to rivet their aid entirely on sunshine and keep them away from draughty areas .
How to take care of lobelia flowers?
The care of lobelia flowers is usually comparatively easy , but it should be remembered that lobelias are unlikely to live the winter in most temperate regions . The practiced advice is to plant them where they are intended to remain for at least two year ( they sometimes grow for up to ten years ) and to provide some temporary protection in the form of a fairly thick mulch through the winter . As with other attendant plants , they must never block in autumn as this will vote down them . In addition , they apprise compost or well - rotted manure added every springiness and do not expect any pruning or staking . newspaper clipping can do generation in the spring and summertime .
Lobelia erinus medicinal uses
Used to relieve a hangover
Lobelia is also known as ‘ Dew flower ’ because of its power to cure various ailment vagabond from headache , upset stomach , and dizziness . It has a bitter taste which gives it the ability to bring around faster than other plant . It contains many different healing extracts such as flavonoids , tannins , and minerals like iron , magnesium , phosphorus , etc . , that make it beneficial for cure warmness diseases and liver problems .
Used as a laxative for the stomach and intestines
It has been known to cure various digestive problem such as constipation and dysentery , particularly in women . It aid in clearing the blood and provide relief from bellyache .
Used to treat the liver problem
It is known as a ‘ life saver ’ for people with gallstones , tartness , and hepatitis . It is also roll in the hay to increase the flow of bile and help break down solid food particles .
Used to treat lung problems
Lobelia is have a go at it to cure bronchial asthma as it increases atomic number 8 flow in the lung . It also helps in better blood circulation and relaxes the muscle of bronchial tube . With this being said , toast lobelia afternoon tea can be an ideal way of treating lung disease such as bronchitis and TB .
Used to treat heart-related problems
It is know to increase blood flow throughout the dead body and is often recommend for heart patient . It also relaxes muscles in the rake vessels and can bring around chest nuisance .
Used as an anti-fungal agent
The juice extracted from its leaves helps handle tinea as it comprise an constituent do it to bolt down fungi . It has been found to curenail fungusand athlete ’s foot . Its cum are also known to heal ringworm .
Lobelia erinus is known to be effective in treating sore throats and coughs
The in high spirits flavonoid in its leaves have been prove to have a soothe effect on the pharynx and help do by cold symptoms . It has also been known to ruin bacterium that cause raw throat and cough , so it ’s an ideal remedy for these conditions .
Lobelia erinus also acts as a mosquito repellent
The plant ’s scent acts as a natural mosquito repellent and can help prevent many disease from occurring by keeping disease - carrying louse at bay .
Lobelia erinus hardiness zone
This Lobelia is sturdy in zona 10 - 11 but treat as annual in expanse with less warmness .
If foliage and blooms significantly go down in summertime , cut back to promote declivity bloom .
