Cardinal flower sightings surge as its red blooms peak
iNaturalist Community
Native Plants
If you've got a damp, part-shady spot near a stream, pond edge, or rain garden, this tall red wildflower is blooming now and hummingbirds are already tracking it down.
Cardinal flower is a tall native plant with brilliant red flower spikes that bloom in late summer, and right now it's one of the most-photographed plants on iNaturalist. Nearly 800 people logged verified sightings this week, which usually means the plant has hit its peak bloom across a wide swath of its range. It's a favorite of hummingbirds and a good sign for anyone looking to add native color to a wet or partly shaded corner of their yard.
Key Findings
764 research-grade observations of Lobelia cardinalis logged in a single week
Ranked among the most-observed plant species on iNaturalist this week
Timing aligns with the species' typical late-summer peak bloom period
chevron_right Technical Summary
Cardinal flower is having a big moment on iNaturalist, with 764 research-grade sightings logged this week, showing this bright red native wildflower is blooming widely right now and catching people's eyes.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Trending: cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) — 764 observations this week
cardinal flower is among the most observed plant species this week with 764 research-grade observations.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Lobelia cardinalis, the cardinal flower, is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae native to the Americas, from southeastern Canada south through the eastern and southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia.