Edging blue lobelia
Lobelia erinus

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can be an annual or keep growing from year to year. It is a slender erect plant. It grows 30 cm high. The leaves are scattered. They are narrow and taper to both ends. There are a few teeth along the edge. The leaves are 6 cm long by 6 mm wide. The flowers are well spaced along stalks at the ends of branches. They are blue and white.

They have also been put in the family Lobeliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in swamps and along river banks. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1.500-2.300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Hawaii, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pacific, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tasmania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kimangamanga, Swilamphana

Synonyms

Lobelia filiformis Lam.; Lobelia jugosa S. Moore; Lobelia nuda Hemsl.; Lobelia polypodon E. Wimm.; Lobelia wildii E. Wimm.;