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.
Toxic components
All parts of the plant are toxic to birds, as they contain fourteen different pyridine alkaloids.
- tremors
- weakness
- hyperexcitability
- increased breathing rate
- diarrhea
- salivation
- dilation of pupils
- convulsions
- death
