Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis L.)
Also known as cardinalflower.
↑Summary
A perennial lobelia with distinct scarlet-red flowers; named for the resemblance to the color of Catholic cardinals' robes. The color is not as good a match to that of the bird, Northern Cardinal, which tends to have a slightly more orangeish hue. Native to North America, with a wide distribution stretching to both costs, from the southwest to the entire east.
↑Range - Expand
Legend | Color |
Native | |
Native or Not Present |
This tentative map is based on our own research. It may have limited data on Canada and/or Mexico, and there is some subjectivity in our assignment of plants as introduced vs. expanded. Read more in this blog post.
↑Description & Identification
Flowers usually scarlet red, uncommonly white, rarely pink.
↑Faunal Associations
This flower is pollinated by hummingbirds, the Ruby-throated hummingbird in most of its range, as well as by some butterflies, including various swallowtails. Both of these are attracted to the red color, more so than bees.
↑Uses
Widely planted in gardens, due to its striking red flowers.
↑Links & External Resources
• Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Plant) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)
• Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) | USDA PLANTS Database (About This Site)
• Lobelia cardinalis | Go Botany (About This Site)
• Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) | Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (About This Site)
• Lobelia cardinalis | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)
• Lobelia cardinalis | NatureServe Explorer (About This Site)
• Lobelia cardinalis | Missouri Plants (About This Site)
• Cardinal Flower | Maryland Biodiversity Project (About This Site)
• Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) | Minnesota Wildflowers (About This Site)