One of the most beautiful fall wildflowers, cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis, has striking scarlet blooms. It’s a difficult plant to photograph because the vibrant flowers have a somewhat reflective texture making it easy to get an over-exposure blowing out details. Therefore, if using a reflective metering system, the photographer must adjust the exposure with an 18 percent gray background. The root and leaves were used by indigenous groups for various purposes. The root infusion was used for stomachache, syphilis, typhoid and worms. Leaf tea was utilized for colds, crop, nosebleed, fever and other uses. Historically, it was mentioned as a possible substitute for Lobelia or Indian-tobacco (Lobelia inflata), but considered weaker. Cardinal flower is an obscure medicinal plant seldom if ever used and best appreciated as a wildflower. See Foster and Duke 2nd edition (2002) for more information on medicinal use of various Lobelias.