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cardinal flower
cardinal flower Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis).

cardinal flower

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Also known as: Lobelia cardinalis, Trachelium americanum sive cardinalis planta
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cardinal flower, (Lobelia cardinalis), perennial flowering plant of the genus Lobelia (family Campanulaceae) native to North and Central America. The plant bears spikes of scarlet, white, or pink lipped flowers on leafy stems up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) tall. Cardinal flowers are cultivated as ornamentals, and the showy flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.

The great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is sometimes called the blue cardinal and has blue or whitish flowers.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.