Stopping by Brier Creek: Cardinal Flower

As we were meandering along Brier Creek last weekend, this showy flower caught my eye:

It's been years since I saw a cardinal flower. This one, in its shady spot by the creek is a show-stopper. From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower site comes this information about Cardinal Flower:

Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Color, Showy, Garden, Perennial garden 
Use Wildlife: In bloom, cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds. Nectar-Hummingbirds 
Use Medicinal: Amerindians used root tea for stomach aches, syphilis, typhoid, worms. Leaf tea used for colds, croup, nosebleeds, fevers, headaches, rheumatism. Poisonous. (Foster & Duke) Roots, finely ground, placed in food said to be an aphrodisiac. (Weiner) 
Use Other: Used mainly in love potions. Finely chopped roots places in food as love charm. 
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma. Toxic Principle: Alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline, and others, plus a volatile oil. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.) 
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies , Hummingbirds 
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate 

Love potions? And yet it can make you sick? Hmmm... I think I will simply admire this beautiful flower when I see it, and leave it in peace. And next year, maybe try to get some seeds or plants and have it in my garden for the hummingbirds.

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