Downy Oak Leach Aureolaria virginica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Agalinis virginica
- Aureolaria gerardia
- Aureolaria microcarpa
- Aurolaria dispersa
- Dasistoma dispersa
- Dasistoma virginica
- Gerardia dispersa
- Gerardia virginica
- Phonetic Spelling
- or-ee-ah-LAIR-ee-uh vir-JIN-ih-kuh
- Description
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The common names of this plant tell the story. Downy refers to the stems and leaves which are covered with downy hairs. Oak Leach or Leach comes from its hemiparasitic properties on oak trees, attaching like a leach to the oak tree and derives some of its nutrients from the oak tree's roots. It can also survive without a host plant.
Downy Oak Leach is a native herbaceous perennial and hemiparasitic on white oaks, but does possess chlorophyll and performs photosynthesis. It is commonly found in the mountains in dry to mesic forests, along stream banks, and in disturbed sites in all areas of NC. Deer eagerly browse this plant.
The yellow flowers open June through August in terminal clusters of yellow funnel-shaped blooms atop downy stems. They typically open in the morning and close in the afternoon. They prefer partial sun in rocky, clay or sandy loam.
Plant the seeds or plants near a tree in the white oak family.
- 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:
- virginica
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Wildflower
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. U.S.A. to Texas
- Distribution:
- AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Serves as a host plant for many varieties of bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Cascading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- 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
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A hairy dry ovoid capsule that splits open when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 5 yellow petals fused into a corolla tube. Blooms appear in bract axils in terminal racemes in the spring and then again in the fall. They open in the morning and fade by noon.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lower stem leaves are opposite, petiole, simple ovate to lanceolate, 2.5-6 inches long and .5 to 1.5 inches wide. The lower leaves sometimes have lobes or teeth. Mostly hairless, except for along the veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Rigid, brittle, square, and pubescent. Foliage can be found on the upper portion of the stem. The stems are rough to the touch.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
