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Pale-spike Lobelia
Lobelia spicata

Pale Spiked Lobelia is a short-lived perennial found in savannas and prairies. Its delicate stems bend and twist as it grows taller. It is mostly pollinated by smaller bees.

USDA symbol: LOSP

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height1 to 2 feet
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorBlue
Pale-spike Lobelia (Pale-spike Lobelia<div><em class="small">Lobelia spicata</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Native Landscapes (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceHigh
General Resilience5
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: High

Bloom MonthsAugust to September
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Specialists

Project Planning

Project TypeRain Garden, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityHigh
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionWeakly Clonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands