obedient plant

Physostegia virginiana

characteristics

Perennial which grows from a taproot: square stems, lanceolate leaves, flowers in terminal spikes. Flower colour may vary: purple-pink, white, lavender. Tubular in shape often with dots or stripes. Flowers can be swivelled and will remain in place; hence the common name. Similar to snapdragons: AKA false dragonhead. A member of the mint family. Rhizomatous: clump forming. Shallow roots make this plant easy to control.

1,014,000 seeds/pound; starts from seed, container, bare root

habitat

Fields, streambanks, rail roads.

uses

Pollinators include: bees, long tongued bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.