Lobelia dentata/gibbosa

Lobelia dentata or gibbosa at Geehi, NSW

Lobelia dentata/gibbosa at Geehi, NSW - 27 Dec 2019
Lobelia dentata/gibbosa at Geehi, NSW - 27 Dec 2019
Lobelia dentata/gibbosa at Geehi, NSW - 27 Dec 2019
Lobelia dentata/gibbosa at Geehi, NSW - 27 Dec 2019
Lobelia dentata/gibbosa at Geehi, NSW - 27 Dec 2019
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Identification history

Lobelia dentata/gibbosa 29 Dec 2019 BettyDonWood
Lobelia dentata/gibbosa 29 Dec 2019 MattM
Unidentified 29 Dec 2019 Jubeyjubes

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5 comments

MattM wrote:
   30 Dec 2019
This one isn't an orchid, though you would be forgiven for thinking so. I believe this is a species of Lobelia, maybe L. dentata.
Jubeyjubes wrote:
   30 Dec 2019
Ok thank you! It's the absence of leaves which made me think orchid. Is it helpful if I guess at the taxa? I get them wrong quite often!
MattM wrote:
   30 Dec 2019
Most orchids have leaves at some point in their life cycle, so it is not a reliable characteristic unfortunately. Orchids will always have floral part in multiple of 3, 3 sepals + 3 petals, whereas most other flowering plants occur in multiples of 4 or 5. This can be a bit hard to see sometimes as orchids often have fused petals/sepals (as in greenhoods). Typically one of the petals is highly modified (the labellum) and looks unlike the other flower parts.

As for suggesting taxa, go for it. If you are wrong you might get an opportunity to learn some more about it. It also allows moderators to make other suggestions which in turn alerts the moderators of the relevant categories.
Jubeyjubes wrote:
   30 Dec 2019
Ok thank you! Those things are great to know.
BettyDonWood wrote:
   30 Dec 2019
There are at least three tall (as opposed to prostrate) species of Lobelia in the ACT. Unfortunately the flowers of all are very similar. In a good season, you can tell the two more common species apart by the leaves. One (dentata) has toothed (dentate) leaves. The other (gibbosa) has smooth edged leaves. However, the bigger leaves in most seasons are gone by the time the flowers come.

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 2 Abundance
  • 27 Dec 2019 11:37 AM Recorded on
  • Jubeyjubes Recorded by

Additional information

  • True In flower
  • 10cm to 30cm Plant height

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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