This perennial, usually single-stemmed plant grows from 1 1/2 to 5 feet tall (C). The alternate, finely toothed leaves may be up to 6 inches long and are largest near the base (D). The basal leaves are widest near the middle and have short stalks. Upper leaves are more lance-shaped with no leaf stalk. Both upper and lower leaves have pointed tips. The bright red flowers are alternately arranged on short individual stalks in a dense cluster (raceme) at the top of the stem (A). They have 5 narrow, green sepals which elongate and turn a deep maroon color after flowering (E). The 5 scarlet petals are up to 1 1/2 inch long and are divided into upper and lower lips. The spreading, 3-lobed lower lip has deeply notched petals which bend abruptly downward at the base. The 2 narrower lobes of the upper lip often spread widely, one off to each side of the flower (B). A red central column contains the style and 5 stamens (B).
Wet ground, stream banks, ditches. Rare and planted at Fontenelle Forest in the Floodplain Prairie restoration where they were a part of the seed mix. Naturally occurring plants in Nebraska are known only from areas in the Republican River drainage and the central Platte River region.
This striking flower is available in cultivars varying from white to pink to red and is a favorite of gardeners for use in wet sites. The bright red flowers are attractive to ruby-throated hummingbirds, its major pollinator.
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