Lobelia cardinalis also known as cardinal flower, is an erect annual or perennial herb which is native to the Americas. It has tubular flowers which may be blue, pink, white, yellow, or red with distinctive petals--two small petals opposed by three large petals. Wild L. cardinalis grows along damp areas such as river banks, swamps, and wetlands. L. cardinalis is also cultivated in many areas as a pharmaceutical plant.
Toxic components
All parts of L. cardinalis are toxic and contain fourteen different pyridine alkaloids.
