As you walk through the Arboretum's Marsh Area in August, you are likely to see a number of bright red flowers growing along the edge of Scarborough Creek. Cardinal Flower is one of nine species of the genus Lobelia that occur in Tennessee (Visit the UT Herbarium web site for more information about the other species in Tennessee.) Lobelia cardinalis is our only Lobelia with brilliant red flowers - however, one other red-flowered species (L. laxiflora) is found in southern Arizona. Cardinal Flower is found throughout eastern North America and adjacent Canada, and across the southwest to California. Its typical habitat is along streams, ponds, and other wetland situations.

The two-lipped, tubular flowers have three prominent lobes on the lower lip and two smaller lobes on the upper lip. Hummingbirds and butterflies are major pollinators. The common name is purportedly a reference to the bright red robes of Roman Catholic Cardinals. Although the plant has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, its extracts contain as many as 14 poisonous alkaloids. A planting of Cardinal Flowers is present next to the Arboretum's Visitor Center.

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