Lobelia boykinii
Lobelia boykinii is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common name Boykin's lobelia. It is native to the eastern United States, where it occurs from Delaware to Florida. There is also a disjunct occurrence in New Hampshire.[1]
| Lobelia boykinii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Lobelia |
| Species: | L. boykinii |
| Binomial name | |
| Lobelia boykinii | |
This rhizomatous perennial herb produces a hollow stem up to 85 centimeters tall. The plant is semi-aquatic, often growing in water for part of the year. The needle-like leaves are alternately arranged. The flowers are blue or white. They are pollinated by insects, especially bees. Flowering is also affected by the water level.[1]
This plant grows in cypress swamps and other wet habitat types, such as meadows, bays, and ponds.[1]
A number of insect species have been observed visiting the plant, including Ceratina dupla, Augochlorella striata, Hylaeus confluens, Hylaeus modestus, Hoplitis truncata, Melissodes communis, and Geron holosericeus.[2]
References
- Lobelia boykinii. Archived 2011-10-26 at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.
- Royo, A. A., et al. (2008). Demographic constraints in three populations of Lobelia boykinii: a rare wetland endemic. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 135(2) 189-99.