Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower has bright red flowers that look like little trumpets! They are very attractive to hummingbirds.

Habitat: Wetlands and along streams

Appearance

The Cardinal Flower has brilliant, fiery red, tubular flowers arranged on tall, erect spikes. Its vivid color makes it instantly recognizable, standing out sharply against the green foliage of its wetland habitats. Each bloom has two lips, one with two lobes and one with three, designed perfectly for its primary pollinators.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyCampanulaceaeGenusLobelia

Cardinal Flower

Interesting facts

Hummingbirds can see red colors that are invisible to most insects, making this flower a perfect beacon for them.

Indigenous peoples historically used Cardinal Flower in traditional medicine, but only by skilled practitioners.

Its stunning red color is so intense, it was named after the robes of Catholic Cardinals!

Unlike many plants, it prefers 'wet feet,' growing happily with its roots submerged in water.

Special abilities

Cardinal Flower has bright red, tube-shaped flowers and nectar, perfectly shaped to attract and feed hummingbirds for pollination.

Cardinal Flower can thrive in very wet soils, even in shallow standing water, allowing it to grow where other plants struggle.

Cardinal Flower produces special compounds that make it taste bad or be toxic, protecting it from many hungry animals.

Measurements & details

Height: 60-180 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 2-4 cm
Bloom Season: Late summer to early fall
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Moderate
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Bird

Ecological connections

pollinates

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Its long beak reaches deep into the flower for nectar.

eats

Parthenice Tiger Moth

Grammia parthenice

Its larvae can feed on the leaves despite the plant's toxicity.

eats

Virginia Tiger Moth

Spilosoma virginica

Its woolly bear caterpillars may also browse the foliage.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Shade Tolerant

Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.

Summer Blooming

Enjoy the sunny days with these vibrant plants that show off their stunning flowers all through the warmest months, adding color to the long summer days.

Tube Flower

Discover unique flowers shaped like long, slender tubes, often attracting special pollinators like hummingbirds with their sweet nectar.

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.