The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a flowering perennial, herbaceous plant in the Campanulaceae family of bellflowers.
It is native to the Americas, from Canada to Colombia, predominantly in wetlands, such as the banks of streams and swamps.
It grows to 120 centimetres (48 inches) tall.
The leaves are up to 20 centimetres (8 inches) long and 5 centimetres (2 inches) wide, lanceolate to oval-shaped with toothed or serrated margins.
The vibrant five-lobed red flowers are up to 4 centimetres (an inch) across on an erect raceme up to 70 centimetres (28 inches) tall. There are also varieties with white and pink flowers.
The Cardinal Flower blooms during the summer and autumn.
Photographed at the Paris Botanical Garden, France, August 2022.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
MARTINA NICOLLS – MartinaNicollsWebsite
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