Cardinal Flower

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Plantae
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Wetland
Active Seasons: Summer

A water loving, native perennial with vibrant, showy, red flowers. Each flower has three spreading lower petals and two upper petals, all united into a tube at the base. It is found primarily in wet places, such as riparian zones, riverbanks, bogs or swamps. It is also sometimes found in damp or semi-flooded and shaded forest areas.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Campanulaceae
Genus: Lobelia
Species: Lobelia cardinalis

Scientific Name

Lobelia cardinalis
Plant Type
Herbaceous Plant
Foliage
Deciduous
Flowering Season
May-October

Ecological Role

Nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees

Active Seasons

Summer

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Wetland

Geographic Distribution

Ranges north to Ontario, and southeast Minnesota, south to FL, TX and southern CA; south through Mexico and Central America to northern South America

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

Contribute Your Observations

Have you spotted this species? Your observations help us track populations and understand behavior patterns.

Submit an Observation

Gallery