Lobelia cardinalis L.
Cardinal flower
The cardinal flower, said to be named for the flower color’s resemblance to robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, is native to much of North America and Central America. It is pollinated by hummingbirds.
Each flower consists of 3 lower petals or lobes, each about the same size, and two upper, narrow, side-reaching petals. The reproductive organs are on a stalk in the center. Photo source unknown. 
Plants: Up to 4′ (1.2 m) (rarely 6′ (1.8 m) in height.
Leaves: Shiny, alternate, serrate, 8 ⨉ 1¾″ (20 ⨉ 5 cm), and lanceolate.
Flowers: Usually deep, vibrant red (occasionally pink or white), up to 1½″ (4 cm) across, with five lobes. They grow in groups about 8″ (20 cm) in size. Flowers appear in late summer.
Fruits: Two-celled pods, which open at the top, contain numerous seeds.
Habitats: Wetlands, stream banks, and swamps.
Online References:
9/21/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt 
8/29/2010 · Joy and Jim’s, Mansfield, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 6″ (13 × 16 cm) 
8/27/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm) 
8/26/2018 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenburg, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 5″ (10 × 13 cm) 
9/29/2016 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenberg, Massachusetts 
8/26/2018 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenburg, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 4″ (9.6 × 10 cm) 
8/14/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Old Long Loop, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm) 
9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 3″ (10 × 8.5 cm) 
8/13/2012 · Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area, Groton, Shirley, & Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 4½″ (13 × 11 cm) 
9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm) 
9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 6″ (12 × 15 cm) 
8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 9 × 11″ (21 × 28 cm) 
8/25/2019 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts 
8/29/2010 · Joy and Jim’s, Mansfield, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm) 
9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm) 
9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm) 
8/27/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) 
9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm) 
7/31/2012 · Bemis Rd Conservation Area, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 13″ (23 × 33 cm) 
8/29/2010 · Joy and Jim’s, Mansfield, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 6″ (11 × 14 cm) 
8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 12 × 13″ (29 × 32 cm) 
8/26/2018 · Henry E. Cowdrey Nature Center, Lunenburg, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 6″ (9.6 × 14 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Asterales | Flowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies |
| Family | Campanulaceae | Campanula or bellflower family; means “bell-shaped flowers” |
| Genus | Lobelia | Named for Flemish botanist Matthias de l’Obel, also known as Lobelius |
| Species | cardinalis | “Cardinal,” for the color of a Cardinal’s apparel |
Lobelia cardinalis description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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