 |
|
| Species: | Lobelia dortmanna L., water lobelia |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| This perennial
plant can be identified by its low growing tufts of
cylindrical or somewhat flattened tubular leaves and its erect,
unbranched flower-stalk. The leaves are somewhat grass-like and usually
whitish at the base. Many white roots anchor it to firm sediment in
shallow sandy areas of lakes and ponds. In summer, look for the small
pale blue or white snapdragon-like flowers waving above the water
surface. |
|
 |
|
| Leaf:
The leaves originate
from a central base. They are narrow, long (to 8 cm), often curved, and
are made of 2 side-by-side hollow tubes that are round or slightly
flattened in cross-section. A few tiny, thin, alternate leaves are
sometimes present along the flower stem.
Stem: The hollow, smooth, mostly unbranched stem usually rises above water surface. It can grow to 2 m tall and supports flowers and sometimes tiny leaves or bracts, but is often a bare stalk after the flowers and fruits drop. Flower: White or pale blue flowers (1-2 cm long) are attached individually by short stalks to the stem. The flowers have 5 sepals and the base of the 5 petals is fused into a tube. The 2 shorter upper petals fold up. Several well-spaced flowers grow from each stem. Fruit: The capsule is 5-10 mm long and 3-5 mm wide. Tiny seeds (less than 1 mm) have a distinctive square base. Root: Fibrous, whitish. Propagation: Seed; vegetative buds at the base of old flower stems. Importance of plant: Listed as a threatened plant species in Washington. Distribution: Northern North America, northwestern Europe. In Washington found west of the Cascade Mountains. Habitat: Grows on hard, firm sandy or gravely sediments in shallow to moderately deep slightly acidic still waters. Produces flowers in water to 2 m deep. May be Photographs: Closeup of young Lobelia dortmanna plants Line Drawings: None available |
|
|
Go to Aquatic Weed Control Home Page Email Aquatic Weed Control Aquatic Weed Control Seattle, Washington (866) 4-MILFOIL Toll Free (206) 772-6036 Local (206) 374-2979 Fax www.awc-america.com ©2004 Aquatic Weed Control LLC No part of this online utility may be used, duplicated, or copied without the express written permission of Aquatic Weed Control LLC except for personal use by private homeowners. Photos and drawings are compyrighted by thier respective owners. See WA DOE web site for owner, copyright, and source information. |
|
confused with: Distinctive when
flowering. Without the flower stalk it looks similar to low growing
grass-like aquatic plants such as quillwort (