Common Name: Cardinal Flower

Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis

Family: Campanulaceae

Habitat: Along Streams and Rivers, Woodlands, Meadows, Swamps

Native: Yes

Life Cycle: Perennial

Bloom Time: Summer

Height: Up to 5 feet

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, Well drained

Pollinators: Birds, Butterflies

Description: Cardinal flower is a native perennial wildflower that blooms each year in summer. Cardinal flower, which can be identified by its bright red tubular flowers, prefers to grow in rich forests, wet meadows, or along streams, swamps, or rivers in moist soil and full sun to partly shady conditions. This photo of a Cardinal flower was taken in the Native Grassland at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.