Lobelia cardinalis

Campanulaceae Edible: Poisonous, Medicine Potential hazards — see below 49,925 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Lobelia cardinalis, the cardinal flower (syn. L. fulgens), is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae native to the Americas, from southeastern Canada south through the eastern and southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia.

Description

A herb. It grows 20-30 cm tall. The leaves are dark green and purple underneath.

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Edible Uses

None known.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is emetic, expectorant, and nervine. The root is analgesic, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, and stomachic. A tea made from the roots has been used to treat epilepsy, syphilis, typhoid, stomach aches, cramps, and worms. A poultice of the roots has been applied to slow-healing sores. The leaves are analgesic and febrifuge; a tea made from them is used for croup, nosebleeds, colds, fevers, and headaches, and a leaf poultice applied to the head can relieve headache pain. This species is considered to have similar medicinal activity to L. inflata but in a milder form, and was seldom if ever used in practice. The plant is also used to prepare a homeopathic remedy, though no specific part or indication is recorded.

Known Hazards

As a member of the Lobelia genus, L. cardinalis contains a number of naturally occurring, toxic alkaloids, including lobelanine and lobeline, thus rendering the species potentially harmful if ingested. Various negative physical symptoms may manifest upon consuming even small or mid-sized quantities of the plant, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, fatigue/exhaustion, weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and even coma.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It can grow in marshy places and pools and aquariums. It suits hardiness zones 2-8.

Where It Grows

Canada, Colombia, Slovenia, USA,

Cultivation

Requires a deep rich soil and plenty of moisture. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in standing water though is not then so long lived. Succeeds in full sun or light shade. Requires protection from the wind. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -25°c, though they can be excited into premature growth in mild winter areas and are then more susceptible to frost damage. A very ornamental plant. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse through their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Divide in spring. Take basal cuttings in spring by harvesting shoots around 10cm long with plenty of underground stem; pot into individual pots and keep in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until rooting well, then plant out in summer. The plant also layers in moist sand, forming roots at the nodes.