Flower ID: IMG_0820.JPG-08-20-2018 Flower name (scientific): Lobelia cardinalis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) low-BEE-lee-ah kar-dih-NAL-iss Flower name (common): Cardinal Flower Family name (common): Bellflower Family name (scientific): Campanulaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Named in honor of Mathias de l'Obel (also written as Mathias de Lobel or Matthaeus Lobelius) (1538 – 1616), who was a Flemish physician and botanist. Specific epithet: Deep scarlet, brilliant red, the color of the garment worn by a Roman Catholic cardinal. Common name origin: The brilliant red color of the flowers matches the color of the robes worn by a cardinal. Flower description: Size: 1.0 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: red Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 12 to 60 inches (30 to 150 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate (IL), lanceolate to oblanceolate (MP) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Streambanks, swamps, wet prairies, borders of ponds, sun or semi-shade, moist to wet. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki employed the roots of this species as a love medicine, and the ground entire plant to dispel storms (Smith, p. 231, 1928). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (NB, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): OBL Wetland Status (MW): OBL