Bloomipedia
Downy lobelia (Lobelia puberula)
Photo: Evelyn Davis via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Downy lobelia

Lobelia puberula

Native to Tennessee

Downy lobelia is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Tennessee it's most often seen in bloom in August–October.

22states
1,204TN sightings*
5,487U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Tennessee

Quick look

Lobelia puberula, or downy lobelia, is a perennial herbaceous wildflower in the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae) native to eastern and south central United States. It is the most common blue-flowered Lobelia in the Southeast. It grows in mesic to hydric (moist) habitats in sun or partial shade.

  • It belongs to the Campanulaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 22 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Tennessee. NatureServe
  • In Tennessee, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–October. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,204 research-grade sightings of it in Tennessee, ranking #102 among the 112 flowers on our Tennessee list. iNaturalist

Downy lobelia gift ideas

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When does it bloom?

In Tennessee, most flowering sightings come in August–October.

Flowering records by month in Tennessee (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (78 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Tennessee
Not listed Not on Tennessee endangered plants (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-06-02-.04, Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Tennessee. TN rule 0400-06-02-.04
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: MO (SH), PA (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma” NC State Extension

For petsCan be a problem for cats and dogs

NC State Extension flags it as a problem for cats and dogs. It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. NC State Extension

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records downy lobelia in 22 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia; District of Columbia.

Tennessee counties with USDA records: Anderson, Benton, Bledsoe, Blount, Campbell, Cannon, Carter, Cheatham, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Cumberland, Decatur, Dickson, Fayette, Fentress, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis, Madison, Marion, Maury, McNairy, Meigs, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Overton, Perry, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Robertson, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Shelby, Stewart, Sumner, Van Buren, Wayne, White, Wilson.

More Tennessee flowers

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Cardinal flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Native

🌼 Blooms in TN: August–September
Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)

Great blue lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Native

🌼 Blooms in TN: August–October
Tall bellflower (Campanulastrum americanum)

Tall bellflower

Campanulastrum americanum

Native

🌼 Blooms in TN: June–November

Sources