Lobelia flowers in the park

While many people visit Long Lake Park to relax and get away from work, some are differently motivated. Mark Johnston, a biology professor at Dalhousie University, has been there to study the genetics of Lobelia dortmanna (Dortmann’s cardinalflower). This unassuming little plant “is regarded as an indicator of infertile and relatively pristine shoreline wetlands” (Wikipedia), but that’s not why Professor Johnston is interested in it. He studies plant evolution, and Lobelias are specially interesting in that regard. Dortmann’s cardinalflower is generally at the edge of the lake and partly immersed in water. It has the unusual ability to absorb carbon dioxide through its roots.  Most plants can only do this through their leaves.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobelia_dortmanna