Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal flower grows in moist areas such as seeps, wooded swamps, freshwater marshes, and along the banks of ponds, rivers and streams. (Photo courtesy of Caryl Buck/iNaturalist CC BY-NC)
Cardinal flower has small, red, tubular flowers that bloom in late summer and attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Above, cardinal flower blooms at a restored grassland in Loudoun County, Va., on Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program) USAGE REQUEST INFORMATION The Chesapeake Bay Program's photographic archive is available for media and non-commercial use at no charge. To request permission, send an email briefly describing the proposed use to CBP Multimedia Manager Will Parson (wparson@chesapeakebay.net). Please do not attach jpegs. Instead, reference the corresponding Flickr URL of the image. A photo credit mentioning the Chesapeake Bay Program is mandatory. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in any way that suggests approval or endorsement of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Requestors should also respect the publicity rights of individuals photographed, and seek their consent if necessary.
Cardinal flower is a native perennial plant with small, red, tubular flowers that bloom in late summer.
Appearance
The cardinal flower has small, red, tubular flowers with two lips and three lobes. The flowers bloom in July to September on alternate sides along unbranched stalks. Finely toothed, lance-shaped leaves grow to 4 inches in length. The cardinal flower plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The cardinal flower reseeds itself each year. It can be propagated by seed or cutting.
Did You Know?
- Cardinal flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Although it has been used for medicinal purposes, the cardinal flower is potentially toxic to humans and other mammals.
- The Iroquois had many medicinal uses for cardinal flower. They boiled the roots with chicory root and used the liquid to treat fever. They also mashed the roots, stems, leaves and flowers together to treat cramps.
- The Pawnee used cardinal flower roots and flowers as a love charm.
Sources and Additional Information
- Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- PLANTS Profile for Lobelia cardinalis – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Lobelia cardinalis – The University of Texas at Austin
- PlantFiles: Cardinal Flower – Dave’s Garden
Quick Facts
Species
Native
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Size
2 to 4 feet tall
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Habitat
Found in moist areas such as seeps, wooded swamps, freshwater marshes, and along the banks of ponds, rivers and streams. Grows in full or partial sun.
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Range
Grows throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Status
Stable
