cardinal flower

American  

noun

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

---

cardinal flower British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of cardinal flower

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

Example Sentences

One very common flower resembles our cardinal flower, though not of so deep a color, another is very like rocket or phlox, but smaller and of various colors, white, blue and purple.

From Summer on the Lakes, in 1843 by Fuller, Margaret

Where their vivid doubles are reflected in a shadowy mountain stream, not even the cardinal flower is more strikingly beautiful.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

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

From Under the Maples by Burroughs, John

It is a splendid show of brilliant scarlet, the color of the cardinal flower and surpasses it in mass and profusion.

From Woodcraft or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good by Douglas, Alan

It took a long time to pass quite round, and before this was accomplished, her footsteps were arrested by a splendid cardinal flower, that grow within the shadow of the wall.

From Janet's Love and Service by Robertson, Margaret M. (Margaret Murray)