IBP Cardinal Flower - Red Leaved Variety

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IBP Cardinal Flower - Red Leaved Variety
IBP113

Flower Shape:
Tubular
Flower Color:
Red
Flower Size:
1'
Leaf Shape:
Lanceolate
Leaf Coloration:
Red
Leaf Size:
To 6"
Leaf Spread:
N/A

Lobelia belongs to the family Lobeliaceae (some authors put it into the Campanulaceae), which comprises approximately 25 genera, including Centropogon, and Downingia (12 spp. native to Calif. wetlands), and hundreds of species. They are usually herbs but sometimes become shrubby or treelike. Close relatives include Isotoma fluviatilis, a common ground cover in southern California. Lobelia is a large genus (approx. 370 species) of plants which are native to tropical and temperate zones around the world, especially the Americas. The genus exhibits an incredible variety of form, from the familiar little blue flowered ground cover called "Crystal Palace" to the rarely cultivated tree-like species. All species of Lobelia produce a variety of mild to moderately strong alkaloids, the most prominent of which is lobeline, which is used by some holistic practitioners as an aid to quit smoking. The jury is still out on its efficacy. At least two forms of Lobelia cardinalis exist. The two are identical except that one produces green leaves while the other produces dark red ones. This latter variety is refered to as L. card. fulgans. Two other species, noteworthy for their tolerance of water, are L. syphilitica, or the "Great Blue Lobelia", and L. Dortmanna. Lobelia syphilitica occurs in from Maine to S. Dakota, and south to North Carolina, Mississippi, and Kansas, and grows in slightly drier conditions than L. cardinalis. Where I have seen it growing it has been on damp ground but never in standing water. The plant is nearly identical to L. cardinalis except that the flowers are dark blue and the leaves are more serrated on their margins. A healthy specimen is quite beautiful when it is in full bloom. L. Dortmanna, which is native to north North America (it is listed in a book of native wildflowers of Washington state) and western Europe, and grows completely submersed. Cultivation is simple. The plants will grow in sun or shade, in moist soil or in slowly moving water that is several inches deep. Soil should be acidic, rich in humus and can have some timed release fertilizer mixed in. It should be capped with sand to keep it down. Pinching the growing tip will cause the plant to produce branches, resulting in a better bloom. Prpagation is by seed or rootstock division. Zones 4-8.

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