Loved by hummingbirds to the degree that the migratory path of some species of hummingbirds are partially determined by the presence of this plant. Larval food plant for Black-letter Darts (Complex Xestia c-nigrum).

The Zuni people use this plant as an ingredient of "schumaakwe cakes" and used it externally for rheumatism and swelling. The Penobscot people smoked the dried leaves as a substitute for tobacco. Roots, finely ground, placed in food said to be an aphrodisiac. The roots and foliage are used as medicine. Care should be taken if using this plant internally as it possesses toxic alkaloids, including lobelanine and lobeline.

There are 443 species of Lobelia with a subcosmopolitan distribution primarily in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, a few species extending into cooler temperate regions. The genus, Lobelia, is named for Matthias de l'Obel (1538-1616) a Flemish botanist; the species name, cardinalis, means red.

Found in moist soils, especially along streams, from 3,000-7,500 ft. in eastern, southern and southwestern United States, south through Mexico and to Panama.