Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal Flower

Family:	Campanulaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.25
Synonyms:
Range:	N. America - New Brunswick to Quebec, south to Florida and Texas.

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.25m . It has a hardness rating of 3and is quite resiliant to frost.
Cardinal Flower will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Cardinal Flower will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Cardinal Flower prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Cardinal Flower can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Damp shores, meadows and swamps[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Requires a deep rich soil and plenty of moisture[1, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in standing water though is not then so long lived[200]. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[200]. Requires protection from the wind[200]. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -25°c[187], though they can be excited into premature growth in mild winter areas and are then more susceptible to frost damage[200]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
Emetic, expectorant and nervine[4, 61]. The root is analgesic, anthelmintic, antispasmodic and stomachic[4, 61, 257]. A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of epilepsy, syphilis, typhoid, stomach aches, cramps, worms etc[222, 257]. A poultice of the roots has been applied to sores that are hard to heal[257]. The leaves are analgesic and febrifuge[257]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of croup, nosebleeds, colds, fevers, headaches etc[222]. A poultice of the leaves has been applied to the head to relieve the pain of headaches[257]. This species is considered to have similar medicinal activity to L. inflata, but in a milder form[222]. It was seldom if ever used[222]. The plant is used to make a homeopathic remedy[4]. The report does not say which part of the plant is used, nor what it treats.

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Anthelmintic - Expels parasites from the gut.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Emetic - Induces vomiting.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Homeopathy - A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[200]. Basal cuttings in spring[1]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Layering in moist sand, it forms roots at the nodes[200].

Known Hazards

The plant is potentially toxic, but the degree of toxicity is unknown[222]. It contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[274]. he sap of the plant has been known to cause skin irritation[274].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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