Lobelia macrodon
Lobelia macrodon
This is a lovely flat growing alpine plant found growing in the alpine regions of the South Island of NZ in a variety of conditions making this an adaptable plant for cultivation.
The shiny, mid-green, thickish leaves grow from short over ground rooting stems and the flowers appear from the leaf axils.
These flowers, which appear from December to February,are have a very short stem but as they are up to 20mm long hold themselves above the leaves usually facing directly upward towards the sunlight. In the right location the plant can be smothered with flowers which emit a beautiful, strong sweet scent. Each flower is a creamy greenish yellow although depending upon locality may vary from light to dark creamy yellow. The corolla tube is about 10mm long with stripes and a partially inflated base. The petal lobes are cut about half way.
The flowers are followed by purplish berries but they are not significant.
This is a good plant for gritty rock gardens but will also grow in well-drained soil as the roots tend to grow straight down. Moist and sunny conditions give best results.
Lobelia are named after Lobel a pioneering botanist.
This is a lovely flat growing alpine plant found growing in the alpine regions of the South Island of NZ in a variety of conditions making this an adaptable plant for cultivation.
The shiny, mid-green, thickish leaves grow from short over ground rooting stems and the flowers appear from the leaf axils.
These flowers, which appear from December to February,are have a very short stem but as they are up to 20mm long hold themselves above the leaves usually facing directly upward towards the sunlight. In the right location the plant can be smothered with flowers which emit a beautiful, strong sweet scent. Each flower is a creamy greenish yellow although depending upon locality may vary from light to dark creamy yellow. The corolla tube is about 10mm long with stripes and a partially inflated base. The petal lobes are cut about half way.
The flowers are followed by purplish berries but they are not significant.
This is a good plant for gritty rock gardens but will also grow in well-drained soil as the roots tend to grow straight down. Moist and sunny conditions give best results.
Lobelia are named after Lobel a pioneering botanist.