Texas Wildbuds
Lobelia cardinalis
(Cardinalflower)
Lobelia cardinalis, La Nana Trail, Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches Co. 3890/3904
Lobelia cardinalis, La Nana Trail, Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches Co. 3930
Lobelia cardinalis, St. Edwards Park, Austin, Travis Co. 3665
Lobelia cardinalis, St. Edwards Park, Austin, Travis Co. 3667
Lobelia cardinalis, St. Edwards Park, Austin, Travis Co. 3669
| Scientific Name | Lobelia cardinalis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | LOCA2 |
| Common Name | Cardinalflower | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 34505 |
| Family | Campanulaceae (Bellflower) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Wet soils along streams, ponds and shaded shallow water. Plant: Erect perennial 1 to 4 feet tall, unbranched, often hairless stem. Leaves: Numerous stem leaves, alternate, sessile or with short petioles; blades are ovate to oblanceolate, 3 to 5 inches long; margins finely to somewhat coarsely-toothed. Inflorescence: Terminal racemes up to 18 inches long with bright scarlet flowers on pedicels 1/4 to 5/8-inch long, each pedicel with a leaflike bract at the base; 5 linear sepals less than 3/8-inch long; corolla fused into a 3/4-inch long at the base and 2-lipped at the top, with 2 lobes on the upper lip and 3 lobes on the lower. Bloom Period: July to October. References: "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist and SEINet |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025