Smooth False Foxglove Aureolaria levigata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Smooth False Foxglove:
Previously known as:
- Agalinis laevigata
- Aureolaria laevigata
- Dasistoma laevigata
- Gerardia levigata
- Phonetic Spelling
- or-ee-ah-LAIR-ee-uh lee-vih-GAY-tuh
- Description
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Smooth false foxglove is a perennial flowering plant in the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) native to the mountains of the southeastern United States. In North Carolina, it is found growing in the mountains, occasionally in the Piedmont and rarely in the coastal plain in upland oak and oak-hickory forests, along streams and rocky slopes.
This plant is semi-parasitic on the roots of oak trees and has a sprawling to semi-erect growth habit that can resemble a vine and can grow 2 to 6 feet tall. It prefers mesic to semi-mesic well-drained rocky to sandy soils in partial shade. It does not do well in rich soils, so avoid fertilizing this plant.
The bright yellow bell-shaped flowers appear at the top of a tall stem in August to September. The leaves have entire margins, which differentiate them from other species.
Use this plant in a woodland garden with the best results occurring near an oak tree. It can be utilized in a rock garden, a drought-tolerant garden and a pollinator garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects can occur. Fungal diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot can also affect the plant. Root rot can occur, especially in poorly drained soils.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aureolaria
- Species:
- levigata
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A primarily in the mountains
- Distribution:
- AL , GA , KY , MD , MS , NC , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract bees and hummingbirds.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Hairy oval capsules split when mature to release seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Spike of yellow, tubular flowers in late summer come from fat yellow buds. Flowers have five wide-spreading lobes and a bilateral 1 inch corolla that resembles a snapdragon with the upper lip two lobed and the lower lip three lobed. The pistil is surrounded by four stamens
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Smooth shiny narrowly lanceolate green leaves with short petioles and entire to wavy margins mostly without lobes.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Simple or sparingly branched, smooth green stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
