A native lobelia with showy red flowers- favored by swallowtail butterflies and hummingbirds! Adaptable to soil type, but requires wetter than average conditions. Plants grow happily in shallow water, and are absolute stunners for water edges, wetlands, and moist ditches!

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Shade

Soil Moisture: Wet, Wet Mesic

Soil Type: Loam, Sandy Loam, Gravely

Height: 1'-3'

Bloom Color: Red

Bloom Time: Aug-Sep

Root Type: Fibrous

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies- particularly swallowtails- bees, and flies. Hosts the pink-washed looper moth. Rarely browsed.

Notes: With sufficient light, this species can survive entirely underwater! Submerged leaves are round with reddish undersides, so cardinal flowers are sometimes sold as ornamental plants in the aquarium hobby.