Class V. Order I, 33 



65. LOBELIA. 

 LOBELIA CARDINALIS. L. Cardinal flower. 



Stem erect, leaves broad-lanceolate, serrate; 

 spike terminal, pointing one way. L. 



This supevb plant, cultivated and much prized in Europe, 

 is a native of our meadows and brooksides. It rises to the 

 height of two feet and upward, with a simple, erect, leafy stem. 

 Leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, and serrate. Ra- 

 ceme terminating the stem, consisting of large flowers, more or 

 less inclining to one side, of a bright scarlet colour. Corolla 

 with a long tube ending in five spreading segments, the three 

 lower ones widest. Tube of stamens curved in at the top. - 

 June, July. Perennial. 



LOBELIA PALLIDA. Jlfuhl* Pule Lobelia. 



Somewhat hairy ; stem erect, simple ; leaves 

 oblong- spatulatc, dentate ; flowers spiked. 



Syn. LOBELIA SPICAI'A. Lam. 



Stem upright, smooth, or a little hairy. Leaves spatulate, ob- 

 tuse at the end, tapering at base, slightly toothed or crenate, 

 pubescent at the edge and under side, sessile. Flowers in a 

 long terminal spike, on short peduncles, blue. Moist pastures 

 and road sides. July. Perennial. 



LOBELIA INFLATA. L. Indian tobacco. 



Stem erect ; leaves ovate, slightly serrate, lon- 

 ger than the peduncles ; capsules inflated. L. 



Readily distinguished by its swelling, bladder-like pods, ana 

 its very subtle, acrimonious taste, not unlike that of green to- 

 bacco. Stem angular, hairy, branching at top, from one to t\vc 

 feet high. Leaves scattered or alternate, oval, nearly sessile. 

 crenate or serrate on the edge. Stem and branches terminat- 

 ing in spikes of small blue flowers on short footstalks. Calyx 





