cardinal flower

noun

1. a North American plant, Lobelia cardinalis, with showy red tubular flowers in an elongated cluster.

cardinal flower

noun

1. a campanulaceous plant, Lobelia cardinalis of E North America, that has brilliant scarlet, pink, or white flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardinal flower¹

An Americanism dating back to 1620–30; so called from its color

Example Sentences

But when vivid color is wanted, what can surpass or equal our cardinal-flower?

From Project Gutenberg

It was a likely place for the cardinal-flower, but I could not find any.

From Project Gutenberg

In the afternoon they all plunged into the lake, Eva swimming like a cardinal-flower afloat.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet in color it is as rich an orange as the petal of the cardinal flower is a rich scarlet.

From Project Gutenberg

Just one cardinal flower–that is all–under a shaft of sunlight in the woods.

From Project Gutenberg