SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lobelia cardinalis
COMMON NAMES: Cardinal Flower
BLOOM TIME: July, Aug, Sep
PLANT PROFILE:
- Unbranched 2-3 ½ ft. tall with central stem that can be densely hairy.
- Alternate leaves are about 3 in. long and toothed.
- Member of the belle flower family.
- In late summer beautiful red blooms are spike-like, about 1 ½” long by 1”.
- Blooms can be white occasionally .
- Habitat: full sun & wet to moist conditions.
- Has a reputation of being temperamental & short lived.
- Likes pond borders, ditches, wet meadows & observed in most Illinois counties.
- The Mesquackie crushed and dried plants to throw into wind for warding off approaching storms.
- Also scattered over graves in final ceremonial rites.
- Other tribes used a root tea for stomachaches, intestinal worms & a love potion.
- Leaf tea used for colds, nosebleeds, fevers, & headaches.
INSECT/ANIMAL INTERACTIONS:
- Nectar of the flowers attracts the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird & various Swallowtail butterflies.
- Larger bumblebees will steal nectar through slits in the tubular corolla.
- Seeds are too small to be of much interest to birds.
- Mammalian herbivores usually do not eat this plant because of the toxic white latex in the foliage.