About Lobelia cardinalis L.
Lobelia cardinalis L., commonly called cardinal flower, is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height. It grows primarily in wet habitats including riparian zones, riverbanks, bogs, and swamps, and is also sometimes found in damp, semi-flooded, shaded forest areas. This species typically grows near water sources, where saturated soil provides consistent groundwater hydration for its roots. It can grow at varying distances from open water, and may even grow aquatically, with some or all of the plant submerged while its flowers extend above the water surface. Its leaves grow up to 20 cm (8 in) long and 5 cm (2 in) wide, are lanceolate to oval in shape, and have toothed margins. Flowers are most often vibrant red, have five deep lobes, and reach up to 4 cm across. They are arranged in an erect raceme that can be up to 70 cm (28 in) tall, and bloom from summer into fall. Rare recognized forms include f. alba with white flowers and f. rosea with pink flowers. L. cardinalis is related to two other Lobelia species native to the Eastern United States: Lobelia inflata, known as Indian tobacco, and Lobelia siphilitica, known as great lobelia. Like all species in the Lobelia genus, these three all share the genus’s characteristic features: a distinct lip petal near the flower opening, and a milky secretion released when the plant is broken. L. siphilitica produces blue flowers and is primarily pollinated by bees, while the red-flowered L. cardinalis is primarily pollinated by the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). As a member of the Lobelia genus, L. cardinalis contains multiple naturally occurring toxic alkaloids, including lobelanine and lobeline, making the plant potentially harmful if eaten. Even small to moderate quantities can cause a range of negative symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, fatigue, weakness, dilated pupils, convulsions, and even coma. The Zuni people include this plant as an ingredient in schumaakwe cakes, and use it externally to treat rheumatism and swelling. The Penobscot people smoked the dried leaves as a tobacco substitute, and may also have chewed the leaves.
