CARDINAL FLOWER                          RED

Lobelia cardinalis                       July-Sept.

Bluebell Family

Flower:  1.5” long

Plant:  2-4’ high

    The numerous bright scarlet, tubular, 2-lipped flowers of this plant grow in an elongated cluster on a tall stalk.  Long stamens protrude through a split in the upper lip of each blossom.  The lower lip is 3-lobed.  The dark green leaves are up to 6” long, alternate, toothed and lance-shaped.

 

    Cardinal Flower grows in moist areas such as wet meadows, swamps and along stream banks.  Because of the structure of this plant only the hummingbird is capable of pollinating it.  Overpicking has greatly reduced this once common flower of our area.

All material Copyright Anne McGrath, 1981,2000

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Site design by Barbara Jo McGrath, 2008