cardinal flower

noun

: a North American lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis) that bears a spike of brilliant red flowers

Examples of cardinal flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How to help migrating hummingbirds Hummingbirds prefer certain types of plants, including native plants like jewelweed, royal catchfly and cardinal flower, among others. — Blaise Mesa, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026

My cardinal flowers and trumpet creepers are blooming right now, which the hummers and insects love. — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

Fireflies flock to the bright blooms of cardinal flowers to feed on the plant’s nectar and pollen. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026

Despite their name, cardinal flowers do not attract the eponymous bird, instead their cardinal red blooms draw in scores of hummingbirds and butterflies. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cardinal flower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower

Kids Definition

cardinal flower

noun

: a North American plant that bears brilliant red flowers