cardinal flower

American  

noun

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

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cardinal flower British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of cardinal flower

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

Example Sentences

The cardinal flower is the only flower more gaudy in red than this bee balm.

From The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming. by Shaw, Ellen Eddy

Muriel Blake's golden curls, and azure eyes, and roseate bloom flashed on the eye much as does a cardinal flower in a wayside brook.

From Boston Neighbours In Town and Out by Poor, Agnes Blake

The prostrate trunks of a number of great trees lay half submerged in lily-choked pools, beside which stalks of the brilliant cardinal flower flamed by day in the green dimness.

From Followers of the Trail by Stecher, William F. (William Frederick)

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

Do not imagine I made any such observations as these at the time, least of all that I then knew the cardinal flower by its correct name.

From Confessions of Boyhood by Albee, John