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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hibiscus laevis Flowers
Rhododendron arborescens Rhododendron arborescens
Rhododendron atlanticum Rhododendron atlanticum

Cardinal Flower Lobelia

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Cardinal Flower:

Phonetic Spelling
loh-BEE-lee-ah
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Erect, annual or perennial herbs; leaves alternate, simple; flowers white, scarlet, or blue, 5-parted, tubular and irregular-shaped with 2 lips; fruit a capsule.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
L. cardinalis, L. erinus, lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose', L. puberula, L. siphilitica, L. spicata
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#cottage garden#hanging baskets#NC native#children's garden#pollinator plant#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#wetland margins#bee friendly#pollinator garden
 
Lobelia spp.
Lobelia spp.
Lobelia spp.
Lobelia spp.
x speciosa starship rose - Aug. 12 - Wake Co., NC
x speciosa starship rose - Aug. 12 - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
L. cardinalis, L. erinus, lobelia x speciosa 'Starship Rose', L. puberula, L. siphilitica, L. spicata
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#cottage garden#hanging baskets#NC native#children's garden#pollinator plant#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#wetland margins#bee friendly#pollinator garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lobelia
    Family:
    Campanulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    USA, NC
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    White, scarlet, or blue, 5-parted, tubular and irregular-shaped with 2 lips
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Water Garden
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline, and others, plus a volatile oil
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems