The Cardinal Flower and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Jacob G. Weissman, Savannah Milton, Gadharv Kaur, Harry Grushko

The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a red flower with a long, narrow opening that has coevolved with the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). The beak of the ruby-throated hummingbird has evolved to be a perfect fit for the cardinal flower. As a result, the cardinal flower is exclusively pollinated by the ruby-throated hummingbird, which offers a significant advantage: the cardinal flower is assured that its pollen will reach another cardinal flower. The ruby-throated hummingbird gains the advantage of not having to compete with other species for nutrients from the nectar of the cardinal flower. We explored this relationship from several angles to better understand the dynamic.