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Lobelia cardinalis L.

Cardinal flower

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyCampanulaceaeCampanula or bellflower family; means “bell-shaped flowers”
GenusLobeliaNamed for Flemish botanist Matthias de l’Obel, also known as Lobelius
Speciescardinalis“Cardinal,” for the color of a Cardinal’s apparel

About plant names...

The cardinal flower, said to be named for the flower color's resemblance to robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, is native to much of North America and Central America. It is pollinated by hummingbirds.

Identification: Cardinal flowers reach 4′ (1.2 m) (rarely 6′ (1.8 m) in height. They inhabit wetlands, stream banks, and swamps. Leaves reach 8″ long ⨉ 1¾″ wide (20 ⨉ 5 cm), and are lanceolate. Flowers are usually deep, vibrant red (occasionally pink or white), up to 1½″ (4 cm) across, with five lobes. They grow in groups about 8″ (20 cm) in size.

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

Each flower consists of 3 lower petals or lobes, each about the same size, and two upper, narrow, side-reaching petals. The reproductive organs are on a stalk in the center. Photo source unknown.

Online References:

Missouriplants.com

Illinois Wildflowers

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Floridata.com

The Missouri Botanical Garden

CalPhotos

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/21/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/29/2010 · Joy and Jim’s, Mansfield, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/27/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/26/2018 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenburg, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/29/2016 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenberg, Mass­a­chu­setts

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/26/2018 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenburg, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/14/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Old Long Loop, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/13/2012 · Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area, Groton, Shirley, & Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis L. ssp. graminea (Lam.) McVaugh

Lobelia cardinalis L. var. graminea (Lam.) McVaugh

Lobelia cardinalis L. var. multiflora (Paxton) McVaugh

Lobelia cardinalis L. var. meridionalis Bowden

Lobelia cardinalis L. var. pseudosplendens McVaugh

Lobelia cardinalis L. var. phyllostachya (Engelm.) McVaugh

Lobelia cardinalis L. var. propinqua (Paxton) Bowden

Lobelia fulgens Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.

Lobelia splendens Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.

 

Lobelia cardinalis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Sep 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 12 × 17″ (29 × 44 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/25/2019 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/29/2010 · Joy and Jim’s, Mansfield, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/27/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

7/31/2012 · Bemis Rd Conservation Area, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/29/2010 · Joy and Jim’s, Mansfield, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 12 × 17″ (29 × 44 cm)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

8/26/2018 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenburg, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Range: Zones 3-9:

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