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definitions

cardinal flower

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

Origin of cardinal flower

An Americanism dating back to 1620–30; so called from its color
Also called scarlet lobelia.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for cardinal flower

Historical Examples of cardinal flower

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

    Riverby

    John Burroughs

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

    Riverby

    John Burroughs

  • Shall we measure all the out-of-doors by the linnet's song, the cardinal-flower's flame, and the hay-field's odor?

    Wild Life Near Home

    Dallas Lore Sharp

  • The Western cardinal-flower quite closely resembles L. cardinalis of the East, differing from it in a few minor points only.

  • Farther north, the cardinal-flower seems to fail, and the monarda takes its place, growing in similar localities.

    Riverby

    John Burroughs

British Dictionary definitions for cardinal flower

cardinal flower

noun
  1. a campanulaceous plant, Lobelia cardinalis of E North America, that has brilliant scarlet, pink, or white flowers
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012