Family: Campanulaceae
cardinal-flower
Etymology: Lobelia: after Matthias de l'Obel (1538-1616), a Flemish botanist; also written as Matthias von Lobel
Plants: erect, perennial, 2'-5' tall forb, usually unbranched
Leaves: thin, lance-like to oblong, toothed; lower leaves on a short stalk, upper leaves stalkless
Flowers: red, 5-parted, 1 1/2" long, irregularly-shaped, top lip 2-parted, lower lip 3-parted; inflorescence a 4"-16" spike-like cluster (raceme) with flowers on hairy stalks; blooms July-Sept.
Habitat: full to partial sun; moist to wet; meadows, woods, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 2'-5' tall forb, usually unbranched
Leaves: thin, lance-like to oblong, toothed; lower leaves on a short stalk, upper leaves stalkless
Flowers: red, 5-parted, 1 1/2" long, irregularly-shaped, top lip 2-parted, lower lip 3-parted; inflorescence a 4"-16" spike-like cluster (raceme) with flowers on hairy stalks; blooms July-Sept.
Habitat: full to partial sun; moist to wet; meadows, woods, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = OBL Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"