Water lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna, Sp. Pl.: 929 (1753))

Family: Campanulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 929 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lobelia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canada to NC. & NE. U.S.A., N. & W. Europe

Description

Water lobelia is a fascinating aquatic plant recognized for its elegant structure and unique growing environment. Scientifically known as Lobelia dortmanna, this perennial species belongs to the Campanulaceae family and is noted for its specialized adaptation to both submerged and semi-submerged habitats.

With its origins described in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, Water lobelia has been the subject of botanical interest for centuries. Its natural range spans across various regions from Canada stretching to North Carolina in the United States, extending through the northeastern parts of the U.S., and reaching further into northern and western Europe.

This plant typically thrives in clean, oligotrophic lakes and ponds where the water is low in nutrients and high in clarity. Water lobelia features a rosette of grass-like leaves that remain submerged, with a flowering stalk that extends above the water to display its delicate, pale blue to white blooms during the summer months. These flowers are not just aesthetically pleasing but play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of the plant, attracting pollinators and ensuring the dispersal of seeds.

The adaptability of Lobelia dortmanna to its unique habitat highlights its importance within these ecosystems. It contributes to maintaining the clarity and health of the aquatic environments it inhabits, effectively supporting biodiversity in these regions. The precise environmental conditions required for its growth make Water lobelia an excellent indicator species for assessing the health of freshwater ecosystems.

In summary, Water lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna) is a plant of both ecological significance and beauty, remembered through centuries for its distinctive contribution to aquatic habitats across North America and Europe. Its presence is a testament to the intricate balance of nature within these serene yet vital water bodies.

Common Names

Lav: dortmana lobelija
Eng: dortmann’s cardinalflower, water lobelia, dortmann’s cardinal flower, dortmann’s lobelia, water gladiole
Dan: tvepibet lobelie
Deu: wasser-lobelie, wasserlobelie
Nno: botnegras
Nob: botnegras
Pol: lobelia jeziorna
Fra: lobélie de dortmann, cardinale de dortmann, lobélie aquatique
Swe: notblomster, notgræs, nuottaruoho
Nor: notgræs
Fin: nuottaruoho
Nld: waterlobelia
Sme: nuohtterássi
Cym: bidawglys, bidawglys dyfrdrig, bidoglys, bidoglys dyfrdrig, bidoglys y dŵr, bidoglys y llynau, lobelia’r dŵr
En: Water lobelia, Dortmann’s cardinalflower, Dortmann’s lobelia, Water gladiole, Dortmann’s cardinal flower
Az: Dortman firəngotu
Be: Лабелія Дортмана
Da: Tvepibet Lobelie
Nl: Waterlobelia, Moeraslobelia
Et: Vesilobeelia
Fi: Nuottaruoho
Fr: Lobélie de Dortmann, Cardinale de Dortmann, Lobélie aquatique
De: Wasser-Lobelie, Deutsche Lobelie, Spleiße, Wasserlobelie
Ga: Plúr an locháin
Lv: Dortmana lobelija
Lt: Ežerinė lobelija
Se: Nuohtterássi
No: Notgræs
Nb: Botnegras
Nn: Botnegras
Pl: Lobelia jeziorna
Ru: Лобелия Дортмана
Sv: Notblomster, Notgræs, Nuottaruoho
Cy: Bidoglys y dŵr, Bidawglys, Bidawglys Dyfrdrig, Bidoglys, Bidoglys Dyfrdrig, Bidoglys y Llynau, Lobelia’r Dŵr

Synonyms

• Lobelia dortmanna f. ramosa (Murb.)
• Rapuntium dortmanna ((L.) C.Presl)
• Lobelia dortmanna var. decolor (H.Lindb.)
• Lobelia lacustris (Salisb.)
• Dortmanna lacustris ((Salisb.) G.Don)
• Lobelia dortmanna f. decolor ((H.Lindb.) Hiitonen)
• Lobelia dortmanna f. terrestris (Sylvén)

Distribution

• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Oct 8, 2010 by Tela Botanica − David GENOUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Mulpuri Deepthi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Roman Graf (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5408512)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:143206-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lobelia dortmanna L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 2