Wild Flower Wednesday

This week’s Wildflower Wednesday featured flower is Great Blue Lobelia.

Great Blue Lobelia, also known as Blue Cardinal Flower, is a native wildflower that booms in late summer and can be found in moist open forest areas and prairies. It had a single stem with a 4 – 12 inch cluster of flowers along the top.

The flower has 3 lower petals that provide a landing pad for bees. When the bees land on it the petals will depress creating an opening for the bees to enter to get the nectar. The stigma then distributes pollen to the backs of the bees as they enter and exit the flower.

Its scientific name, Lobelia siphilitica, comes from the old belief that it cured syphilis.

Native Americans and early settlers used it to treat coughs, respiratory ailments, and muscle disorders and to cure tobacco or whiskey habits. It contains toxic alkaloids that tend to cause vomiting, sweating, dizziness, weakness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and even death so maybe think twice before using it. 

It was believed to have the power to mend marriages and would secretly be added to the food of an arguing couple to make them love each other again.

Spiritually it represents peace, tranquility, and harmony, and protection against bewitchment.