DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 267 
LOBELIA. 
[Name in honor of M. Lobel, physician and botanist to James I.] 
The genus is very large, containing more than eighty 
species. The predominant color in the species is blue, and 
many are highly ornamental. 
Lobélia cardindlis.—Scarlet Cardinal Flower.— This 
splendid native plant embellishes the borders of our 
brooks and rivulets, in the months of July and August, 
with its unrivalled scarlet blossoms. It is a mistaken no- 
tion that it will flourish only in wet ground. I have 
taken it up, when growing in water, and planted it in a 
soil that was far from being moist, with good success. 
It was introduced into England in 1629, and, to this day, 
is duly appreciated. Justice, who published a work on 
gardening, in 1754, in describing it, says :—“ It is a flower 
of most handsome appearance, which should not be want- 
ing in curious gardens, as it excels all other flowers I ever 
knew in the richness of its color.” It has an erect stem, 
two to three feet high, with broad lanceolate, serrate 
leaves; flowers in terminal spikes, pointing one way. 
L. falgens.—The Fulgent Lobelia.—Is a native of Mex- 
ico, and was introduced into England in 1809. Leaves 
narrow lanceolate, toothed, revolute at the edge; stem 
pubescent, (downy,) three feet high; perennial; its 
bright scarlet flowers in terminal racemes. 
L. spléndens.—The Splendid Lobelia.—Is also a native 
of Mexico, introduced into England in 1814. Leaves 
narrow lanceolate; stem quite smooth, three feet high; 
flowers brilliant scarlet, in terminal racemes; perennial. 
L. syphilitica.—The Blue or Great Lobelia.—Is a com- 
mon plant, and introduced into England in 1665. It has 
its specific name from its supposed efficacy in the cure of 
the syphilis, among the North American Indians. Sir 
William Johnson purchased the secret from them, but 
