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purple false foxglove

Scientific Name: Agalinis purpurea

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Agalinis purpurea - Purple False Foxglove

Agalinis purpurea, commonly known as purple false foxglove or purple gerardia, is an annual forb found in various habitats. Its attractive purple flowers make it a notable wildflower.

Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name: Agalinis purpurea (L.) Pennell
  • Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Formerly Gerardia species.
    • Gerardia purpurea L. var. carteri (Pennell) Pennell
    • Gerardia purpurea L. var. grandiflora Benth.
    • Agalinis skinneriana (Alph. Wood) Britton (pale purple false foxglove)

Common Names

  • Purple False Foxglove
  • Purple Gerardia
  • Purple Agalinis
  • Smooth Purple Gerardia
  • Large Purple Agalinis

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the eastern United States.
  • Found in wet areas with partial shade or full sun.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Annual plant, typically 1 to 2 feet tall.
  • Stems are dark green and smooth, often branching.
  • Has a tendency to sprawl in the absence of supportive vegetation.
  • Flowers are pink to purple, funnel-shaped with 5 spreading lobes, and approximately 1 inch in size.
  • Rose-purple corolla with dark spots on the flower.
  • Blooms from July to September.
  • Fruit is a capsule.

Ecological Role

  • Purple agalinis is a partial plant parasite, obtaining nutrients by parasitizing other plants' roots.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Buckeye cats (caterpillars) have been observed feeding on purple false foxglove.
  • The plant attracts insects for pollination.