Cardinal Flower

Other names

Indian Pink

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, New Brunsw. to MN, South to FL and East TX.

Cultivation

A 2-5' tall biennial with bright red flowers.
Light: sun to light shade
Moisture and Soil: moist to wet soil, needs open ground to persist

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: 60-90 day cold/moist stratification; needs light to germinate –sow on top of soil

Biocultural value

Cardinal flower had a wide range of medicinal uses among the Haudenosaunee, including as an analgesic, anticonvulsive, remedy for skin ailments, and gynecological aid for menstruating women. The Delaware, Pawnee, Meskwaki, Jemez and Zuni also prescribed the plant medicinally, used it in ceromonies, and/or included it in charms.

Wildlife value

Hummingbirds are atttracted to cardinal flower's bright red blooms, as are various swallowtail butterflies, including black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterias), spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus), and pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor). Nectar-robbing bees may create perforations in the sides of the flowers. A few insects feed on the leaves, including the larvae of a fly, Metopomyza scutellata, and the caterpillars of pink-washed looper moth (Enigmogramma basigera).

Poisonous

yes

Poisonous description

Lobelia contains a host of toxic alkaloids, including many with structural similarities to nicotine. Overdoses of the plant induce vomiting, sweating, pain, paralysis, low temperature, rapid but feeble pulse, collapse, coma, and even death.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Houston and Grossman Ponds, McLean Bogs

Source of plant

Krissy Boys, Bluestone Perennials, Klyn Nurseries, Ridge House Gardens, J.L. Hudson, Seedsman

Description

A basal rosette of green leaves with toothed margins and glabrous green leafy stems topped by a great spike of brilliant scarlet, lipped flowers. Blooming season late summer (DS 100). Short-lived perennial reaching 90 cm in height; stems usualy glabrous, strongly tinted purple-bronze; leaves to 10 cm long, basal or cauline and alternate, narrow-ovate to linear-oblong, acuminate, toothed. Flowers held in bracteate spikes, corolla to 5 mm long, bright scarlet (DS 350).

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Special characteristics

flowering season, flower color

Status

L2|S4S5|G5