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Lobelia spicata - Lam.

Common Name Pale Spike, Palespike lobelia
Family Campanulaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The plant is potentially poisonous[222]. It contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[274].
Habitats Dry mostly sandy soils[235] in fields, meadows, glades and thickets[222].
Range Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to Minnesota.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lobelia spicata Pale Spike, Palespike lobelia


Thomas G. Barnes @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Barnes, T.G., and S.W. Francis. 2004. Wildflowers and ferns of Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky.
Lobelia spicata Pale Spike, Palespike lobelia
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lobelia spicata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emetic  Miscellany

A tea made from the leaves is emetic[222]. A wash made from the stalks was used to treat neck and jaw sores[222]. A tea made from the root was used in the treatment of trembling limbs - it was applied to scratches made in the limb[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist soil, succeeding in full sun or partial shade[111, 187, 200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[200]. Basal cuttings in spring[1]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Layering in moist sand, it forms roots at the nodes[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lobelia cardinalisCardinal FlowerPerennial1.0 3-9 MLMHSNMWeWa03 
Lobelia dortmannaWater Lobelia, Dortmann's cardinalflowerPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNMWe02 
Lobelia inflataIndian TobaccoAnnual0.6 -  LMHSNM031
Lobelia radicans Perennial0.2 -  LMHSNMWe03 
Lobelia sessilifolia Perennial0.7 4-8  LMHSNMWe10 
Lobelia siphiliticaGreat Blue Lobelia, Blue Cardinal Flower, Big Blue Lobelia, Great LobeliaPerennial1.0 5-9 MLMHSNMWe02 
Lobelia tupaDevil's TobaccoPerennial2.0 7-10  LMHSNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Lam.

Botanical References

200235

Links / References

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