Pale-spike Lobelia

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Ranked S1 (Critically Imperiled) in Quebec but S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario. Nationally ranked N4 in Canada and G5 globally. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. The species reaches its northeastern range limit in Quebec, where only 9 herbarium specimens are documented across the province.

S22 S26 S54

Rarity Ranks

QC S1 – Critically Imperiled, ON S4 – Apparently Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Lobelia spicata inhabits open prairies, meadows, calcareous flats, and edges of open woodlands. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region it occurs on mesic to dry calcareous soils in open habitats. Michigan Flora documents it in seasonally wet meadows, calcareous flats, oak savanna, and sandy open fields. Despite its FAC wetland status, it is broadly tolerant of dry to moist conditions.

S7 S4 S63 S62

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 5 bee associations (threshold=3)]

Notes

OWSL recommends pairing with tall prairie forbs and grasses including Giant Sunflower, Stiff Goldenrod, and Yellow False-sorghum. These companions create the open, well-lit conditions this species prefers while providing structural diversity in prairie or meadow plantings.

S3

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Orthopedic Aid, Blood Medicine, Dermatological Aid, Emetic

S28 Cherokee and Iroquois uses

Notes

Cherokee used a cold infusion of roots applied to scratches for trembling arms (Orthopedic Aid). Iroquois used a decoction of stalks as a wash for bad blood and for neck and jaw sores, and an infusion of the whole plant as an emetic. Contains the alkaloid lobeline with nicotine-like effects on the nervous system.

S28 S29

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

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❌ Not Edible   

Foraging Notes

Not edible. PFAF rates edibility 0 out of 5 with no known edible uses. All Lobelia species contain the alkaloid lobeline and should not be ingested.

S29 S4

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

Not listed in Cornell poisonous plants database. However, PFAF notes the plant is potentially poisonous, containing the alkaloid lobeline which has nicotine-like effects on the nervous system. LBJ Wildflower Center warns all Lobelia species contain alkaloids lobelamine and lobeline and should not be ingested; symptoms include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and coma in large quantities.

S38 S29 S4

Seed Source

• Blue Sea
• Localeaf