Purple false foxglove (Agalinis purpurea, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 40: 424 (1913))

Family: Orobanchaceae

Author: (L.) Pennell

Bibliography: Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 40: 424 (1913)

Year: 1913

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Agalinis

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A., SE. Mexico, Cuba, Cayman Is.

Description

The Purple False Foxglove, scientifically known as Agalinis purpurea, is a remarkable flowering plant belonging to the Orobanchaceae family. First described in the Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club in 1913 by botanist Francis W. Pennell, this species adds a splash of color across a wide range of regions.

Distributed from southeastern Canada down through central and eastern United States, the Purple False Foxglove is also found in southeastern Mexico, as well as the islands of Cuba and the Cayman Islands. This widespread distribution demonstrates the plant’s adaptability to various environmental conditions and its resilience across different landscapes.

Agalinis purpurea is particularly admired for its vibrant, purple-hued flowers which often attract attention with their delicate and intricate beauty. These plants typically thrive in open, sunny areas and can often be seen gracing meadows, prairies, and open woodlands. Their charming blossoms not only enhance the aesthetic value of these habitats but also play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems by attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Ecologically, the Purple False Foxglove is known to establish a partial parasitic relationship with nearby grasses and other herbaceous plants. This hemiparasitic nature allows it to draw essential nutrients from the roots of neighboring flora, which can give it a competitive edge in nutrient-poor soils.

For botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, Agalinis purpurea offers a fascinating glimpse into the interplay of plant relationships and ecological balance. Whether encountered in the wild or observed in cultivated settings, this plant continues to be a testament to nature’s intricate beauty and complexity.

Common Names

Eng: purple false foxglove, purple agalinis
Fra: gérardie pourpre
En: Purple false foxglove, Purple agalinis
Fr: Gérardie pourpre

Synonyms

• Aureolaria purpurea ((L.) Farw.)
• Gerardia purpurea (L.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Debbye (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2020 by Jackie Blue (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Straka Kelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Gabriel Fannin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2020 by Blaize (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 2, 2021 by Brad Kelley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2020 by xeea xeea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2020 by xeea xeea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 21, 2019 by laura (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 17, 2019 by Cynthia Brinkley (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Sep 29, 2014 by EOL − Laura Clark (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 29, 2014 by EOL − Laura Clark (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 5, 2014 by EOL − bjcooper (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 24, 2014 by EOL − Ann Walter-Fromson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 18, 2014 by EOL − Laura Clark (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:6209-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3171284)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Agalinis purpurea (L.) Pennell)

Specifications

Growth