Lobelia erinus
Close-up of a lobelia (Lobelia erinus )
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus ), also called Blue Lobelia, a plant belonging to the family of Bellflower Family is ( Campanulaceae ). The shortened term " Lobelia " is vague because it is the name for the whole genus Lobelia simultaneously.
Description
The lobelia is a low, bushy or kriechendwachsende, annual to perennial herbaceous plant. Their leaves are small ( about 1.5 cm long) and narrow to wrong are oval, medium to dark green, sometimes crowded bronze. The leaf margin may be sawed, serrated or lobed.
From summer to autumn, the flowers of Lobelia varieties appear. About 0.5 to 4.5 cm long Blütenstandsschäften are about 5 cm long, loose racemose inflorescences with many flowers. The zygomorphe, fivefold bloom is up to 1 cm long. The five sepals are fused. The five petals are fused Roehrig, the corolla tube on the top split almost to the base and two-lipped. The fan-shaped lower lip is three-lobed. The color of the crown varies depending on the variety, from white, blue, purple, pink, red or purple, the center is yellow or white. The five stamens are 3-7 mm long.
It is formed a zweifächerige capsule fruit. The brown seeds are 0.3 to 0.4 mm long.
There are many varieties. Some of the varieties is propagated with seeds, other varieties are propagated vegetatively by cuttings only. It depends on whether the varieties' seeds really " are.
Dissemination
The home of lobelia is located in southern Africa; the distribution area ranges from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe south to Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and South African provinces.
Use
In moderate areas of the world lobelia varieties are popular ornamental plants for gardens and balconies.
Pictures
Lobelia varieties: