LOBELIA FAMILY 



LOBELIACE^ 



Cardinal Flower. For brilliance of color 

 no blossom in our summer fields can compare with 

 the Cardinal Flower, which holds its flaming- 

 spikes on tall, erect stems in marshes, and along 

 margins of brooks and ditches. It is a water lover 

 and is to be found only where its roots can reach 

 an abundance of moisture. Even there it is sel- 

 dom very abundant ; we more often see a dozen or 

 two plants together than a greater number, and 

 even these are likely to disappear in regions where 

 people can easily gather them. The blossoms 

 appear to be especially adapted to pollination by 

 humming-birds, which love brilliant hues of red 

 and freely visit many sorts of red flowers. 



" Along the roadside, like the flowers of gold 

 That tawny Incas for their gardens wrought, 

 Heavy with sunshine droops the goldenrod, 

 And the red pennons of the cardinal flower 

 Hang motionless upon their upright staves." 



The Cardinal Flower is the most conspicuous 

 member of the Lobelia family, which includes sev- 

 eral other species that may frequently be found 

 along the borders of damp woods and the margins 

 of slow-running streams. 



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