A botanical life list first
Today, we drove to St. Stephen from our home near Fredericton (New Brunswick). We traveled some back roads, getting some great glimpses of the St, Croix River. The St. Croix is an international waterway, so when we look across the river, we see the United States.
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Along one stream in the drainage, we found a beyond-bright red flower I knew right away but have never seen except in photos.
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The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) was one of the first flowers I read about when I moved to New Brunswick, but this is the first time I have seen it in bloom.
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The red colour is so bright against the darker colours of the water and leaves. The plant is pollinated by hummingbirds.
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In New Brunswick, the cardinal flower grows in wet areas, along shores and on rocky islands in streams.
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The plant is about a half-metre or more in height and bears its flowers in terminal spikes. The flower has three spreading lower petals and two upper petals; all are united into a tube at the base. The stem is erect with pointed elliptical leaves.
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Like birders, most botanists keep track of the plants they know and have seen in the field. I am delighted to add this to my list of known plants!
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Have a great day! Stay cool!
Jane
nichepoetryandprose 
Gorgeous flowers and gorgeous pictures! It’s always so great to get a new species for your life list!
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TextileRanger
July 23, 2022 at 12:06 pm
Yes, now if I could see a cardinal bird!!!!
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jane tims
July 23, 2022 at 6:36 pm
A beautiful wild flower. 🙂
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Rebecca
July 22, 2022 at 11:49 pm
Their colour is unbelievably vibrant!
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jane tims
July 23, 2022 at 6:36 pm
I have a cardinal flower growing in a wet part of our property. My friend Liz Mills collected seed along the St Croix and was lucky enough to figure our the germination requirements. She gave me a tray of seedlings and I planted them here five years ago. One has survived and is just about to bloom. What an amazing red flower. Lucky you to see so many.
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Debby Peck
July 22, 2022 at 9:48 pm
Yes, I was so excited to see them! Glad you have some close by.
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jane tims
July 23, 2022 at 6:34 pm