What is a cardinal flower?
Cardinal flower, which has the Latin name lobelia cardinalis , is a wild flower that is originally from North America. This flower grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 m) and has bright red flowers that decorate the ends of its tip. The flowers have a tubular base with three lower petals that spread and down, and the top two petals are upright. The bright red robes of the Roman Catholic cardinals inspired the name of the cardinal flowers. Instead, this flower relies on hummingbirds to provide this service when they feed on nectar. When this decorative flower is planted, it attracts birds and butterflies in addition to the hummingbirds.
Cardinal flower is a perennial, which means that every year grows without re -planting. It can grow in almost any area, from ditches and roads to Alouky Plain and is found in virtually all areas of the United States and Canada. The cardinal flower is tolerant of the sun and shadow, but likes very wet soil. To spread this flower can beplanted new seeds or stem can be bent in wet soil and secured with a rock or wand.
Cardinal plants are considered medicinal plants. American Indians harvested roots to cook teas to treat stomach pain, syphilis, typhoid and worms. For colds, semolina, nosebleedy, fever and headaches would make the leaves tea. Some would place the root of the ground in food as an aphrodisiac and others would use sliced roots in the love of potions and magic.
If it is consumed in large quantities, the cardinal flower is highly toxic. Some symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. In extreme cases, cramps and coma may occur. Principle toxins are alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline and volatile oil.
Rod lobelia contains other types of flowers. lobelia erinus or end lobelie, has blue, purple, red, růŽová or white flowers and grows only 3 to 6 inches (about 8 to 15 cm) high. Lobelia laxiflora is known as a Mexican cardinal flower, a red and yellow version of the standard cardinal flower. lobelia siphilitica or large blue lobelia grows 2 to 3 feet (less than 1 m) tall and has flowers that are 12 inches (about 30 cm) wide. In Scarlet and Reddish-Purple, lobelia tupia nicknames "devilish tobacco" and grows flowers that are 3 feet wide (0.9 m).