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Agalinis purpurea is often confused with:
Agalinis tenuifolia Agalinis tenuifolia
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cornus amomum Cornus amomum
Viola striata Viola striata
Wisteria frutescens Growth habit

Slender False Foxglove Agalinis purpurea

Phonetic Spelling
ag-uh-LY-nus pur-PUR-ee-uh
Description

Purple Gerardia is a native annual found in woodlands, roadsides and open areas in Canada and the U.S.A. It is native to all areas of NC. The pink or purple tubular flowers are produced in abundance in late summer to fall and are visited by bees. It will reseed itself in the garden.

This plant prefers sun to light shade in acidic, moist, sandy peaty soils. It will tolerate most soils if they are well-drained. Use in native gardens, naturalized or woodland areas.

More information on Agalinis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple flowers#pink flowers#NC native#native garden#wind dispersed seeds#pollinator plant#native annual#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#butterfly friendly#Audubon#common buckeye butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple flowers#pink flowers#NC native#native garden#wind dispersed seeds#pollinator plant#native annual#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#butterfly friendly#Audubon#common buckeye butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Agalinis
    Species:
    purpurea
    Family:
    Orobanchaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central Canada, central and eastern U.S.A., Cuba, Cayman Islands
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Agalinus support butterfly larvae and adults. Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) larvae appear from May to October and in the deep south they appear year-round. Common Buckeye adult butterflies feed on flower nectar. Members of the genus Agalinis support the following specialized bee: Anthophorula (Anthophorisca) micheneri, Leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Syrphid flies feed on pollen.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Native Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Round capsules that split open on top and have numerous tiny seeds that are dispersed by the wind in September to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1 inch wide single flowers on 1/4" stalks and long tubular flowers 1/2"-1" long with 5 spreading petals in pink and purple have a whitish throat with purple spots and fine hairs along the edges. The upper two lobes are often smaller and the bottom three curve up. Stamens and style are white. The five sepals are fused to form a calyx with sharp teeth. They bloom from August to October.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green leaves are linear and 1-3 inches long with a prominent midrib and entire margins. The upper side can feel rough and have a purple tint.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Dark green upright stems are angled, grooved, and hairless. They can be slightly rough feeling.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators