The origin of the name, Lobelia cardinalis, was named after the Belgian
botanist, Mathias de L’Obel.He often
used a “latinized” form of his name Lobelius.The name cardinalis was inspired by the color of the robes of
the Roman Catholic cardinals.
Lobelia cardinalis was first found by
explorers in Canada who sent the plant to France in the mid-1620’s.English botanist John Parkins wrote “the
rich crimson cardinal flower… it groweth neere the river in Canada, where the
French plantation in America is seated” from then on Lobelia cardinalis was
known as the cardinal flower.
Appearance
This Lobelia species stands tall and
may grow from two to four feet if given plenty of water.Its deep purplish stalk is thick, rigid
and erect with very little flexibility. An exception to this may occur during
the flowering season when the weight of the flowers may cause the plant to
tilt.The alternating leaves of the
cardinalis are medium-green and can grow as long as six inches.These leaves are also pointy at both ends
and are lance shaped.When the Cardinal
Flower blooms from late summer to mid-fall it draws attention because of its
height and color.Its scarlet florets
are two-lipped and tubular with anthers that extend out over the lower lip.
Each flower can range in size from 30-45 mm and contains five bright-red
petals that are velvety in texture.
Habitat
The Cardinal Flower can be found near
damp shores, meadows, swamps, streams, ponds, and wetlands.This species of the Bellflower family not
only enjoys moist conditions it also prefers to grow in either a full sun or
light shade environment.It may also
be found at an elevation between 1500 and 5200ft (460m-1590m).
Propagation
The methods of propagation are seeds,
divisions, and layering.First, one
must sow the seed in autumn and cover it.Germinate in three to four weeks and it should bloom next spring.Another way to propagate a seed is to see
if its large enough to handle, then puncture the seedling out into individual
pots and grow them in the greenhouse for their first winter.Second, the divisions should be done in
the cool month of spring and/or fall to minimize the stress.Finally, layering is the procedure of
bending the stem horizontally along the ground and covering it with moist
sand.It forms roots at the nodes.
Distribution
Plant Distribution by State
Lobelia cardinalis L.
Alabama
Indiana
Mississippi
Pennsylvania
Arizona
Iowa
Missouri
Rhode Island
Arkansas
Kansas
Nebraska
South Carolina
California
Kentucky
New Hampshire
Tennessee
Colorado
Louisiana
New Jersey
Texas
Connecticut
Maine
New Mexico
Utah
Delaware
Maryland
New York
Vermont
Florida
Massachusetts
North Carolina
Virginia
Georgia
Michigan
Ohio
W. Virginia
Illinois
Minnesota
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Lobelia
cardinalis not found
Lobelia
cardinalis is found
Medicinal Uses
In
the past, several native populations such as the Iroquois, Delaware, Cherokee
and Meskwaki used Cardinal Flower.It
is used medicinally as well as ceremonially.
Lobelia
cardinalis is the best herb for bronchial spasms.The leaves and flowers have strong antispasmodic effects on the
bronchials when smoked at the first signs of spasms.Lobelia is used as a sedative, which
depresses spinal chord function excessively.Lobeline is an active respiratory stimulant, which relieves the
bronchial spasms.It can be found in
the leaves and seeds.
Plant
Organ
Properties
How
its used
Roots
Analgesic, Anthelmintic,
Antispasmodic, and Stomachic
A tea made from roots has been
used in the treatment of epilepsy, syphilis, typhoid, stomachaches, cramps,
and worms.
Leaves
Analgesic and Febrifuge
A tea made from leaves is used for
treatment of croup, nosebleeds, colds, fevers, and headaches.
Chemical Structure:
Lobeline [90-69-7]
C22H27NO2
Reference
Moore, Michael. Medicinal
Plants of the Mountain West. The Museum of New Mexico Press. Santa Fe,
