| Lobelia
rhombifolia (tufted lobelia) is a rare herb that
grows in the understorey of dry forest on granite soils on
the east coast (e.g. around Bicheno). It has flowers
arranged in racemes (the oldest flowers are at the top of
the inflorescence), but typically only one flower is open at
a time. The leaves are a few times longer than broad, are
usually widest near the middle or above, less than 2 cm
long, and have either coarse teeth or a few lobes. The
flowers are generally dark blue (rarely pale or even white).
It is similar to L.
simplicicaulis, but in that species the oldest
flower is at the bottom of the inflorescence. It is also
similar to L.
browniana, but that species has entire, or
almost entire leaves (and often the stems are almost
leafless).
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University of Tasmania
