Cardinal Flower

The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is one of many beautiful flowers that grow in the Beaver Valley of Ontario. It has been one of my favourites since I first saw a cardinal flower years ago on a canoe trip along the Beaver River, where it grew out in the open on an old beaver den.

I found the plant in the pictures on Labour Day weekend while walking along Mill Creek towards Duncan. This one grew in a fairly shady spot similar to the one shown below. The location on a stream bank is typical.

Cardinal flowers grow in a large part of North America. I don't know if they form stands elsewhere but, at least around here, they seem to be sporadic and usually only one or at most a few plants can be found in any given spot.

There are several other lobelia species in North America. Most have blue flowers, and many allegedly have medicinal properties. The most potent medicinal species is Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata) with a tradition of use that extends back to the pre-Columbian period. It is apparently still used as an herbal treatment for asthma and other respiratory problems. The cardinal flower's medicinal effects are described as being similar but much milder, so it isn't used much. The following sites (among many others) list uses and references for further reading. It is unlikely that it really works for all the listed afflictions: www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Lobelia+cardinalis and http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lobeli38.html. The cardinal flower is also potentially poisonous so it's best to check with a qualified medical practitioner before using it.

Since I am becoming more and more interested in growing water plants, I think I may try my hand at water lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna) somewhen in the future if I can find a garden center that carries them.