Common Name: Downy Lobelia

USDA lists four varieties while ITIS lists three. Two are found in GA/SC
var. pauciflora: Not listed by ITIS. found only in TX
var. mineolana: found from TX to AL
var. puberula: found from TX to FL to Pennsylvania
var. simulans: found from TX to FL to VA to IL.

There is some conflicting information on the species and varieties.
Note L. peberula is different from L. siphilitica in that its flowers are generally on one side of the upper stem and the lower stem and leaves are hairy and not as bushy as L. siphilitica. The differences between var. puberula and var. simulans is the amount of hairyness and flower size. Nobody said which was which. NC Herbarium suggested that an additional way to tell L. peberula from L. siphilitica is peberula has one white spot (landing spot) on the lower three petals while L. siphilitica has two. This may not be true based on my specimens. Leaves are dark green top and light green undersids and hairy on both, tooth with both pointed and rounded leaves.

There are most likely two different varieties represented here. The larger flowers found on Betty's Branch Creek has the split two white ridges on the lower petals normally found on L. siphilitica while the flowers found at Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve is smaller and has the single white landing spot. While it's upper leaf feels smooth it does have hair similar to the Betty's Branch Creek with it's rougher upper leaf.

Piedmont SC & GA
TRAIL: Stevens Creek Preserve, Betty's Branch Creek
HABITAT: shady forest seep, wet creek side
ELEVATION:
BLOOM TIME: