Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal Flower
a perennial member of the Lobelia genus in the family Campanulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Lobelia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.25 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is potentially toxic, but the degree of toxicity is unknown[4]. It contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine[6]. he sap of the plant has been known to cause skin irritation[6].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Emetic, expectorant and nervine[7][9]. The root is analgesic, anthelmintic, antispasmodic and stomachic[7][9][5]. A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of epilepsy, syphilis, typhoid, stomach aches, cramps, worms etc[4][5]. A poultice of the roots has been applied to sores that are hard to heal[5]. The leaves are analgesic and febrifuge[5]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of croup, nosebleeds, colds, fevers, headaches etc[4]. A poultice of the leaves has been applied to the head to relieve the pain of headaches[5]. This species is considered to have similar medicinal activity to L. inflata, but in a milder form[4]. It was seldom if ever used[4]. The plant is used to make a homeopathic remedy[7]. The report does not say which part of the plant is used, nor what it treats.
- Product or use
- Analgesic
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Emetic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
- Product or use
- Nervine
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Environment
- Range
- N. America - New Brunswick to Quebec, south to Florida and Texas.
- Habitat
- Damp shores, meadows and swamps[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- aquatic
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3]. 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[3]. 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[3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a deep rich soil and plenty of moisture[1][3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in standing water though is not then so long lived[3]. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[3]. Requires protection from the wind[3]. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -25°c[2], though they can be excited into premature growth in mild winter areas and are then more susceptible to frost damage[3]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202