|
Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1289 1829. (syn: Dracocephalum denticulatum Aiton .; Dracocephalum formosius (Lunell) Rydb.; Dracocephalum lancifolium Moench [Illegitimate]; Dracocephalum louisianum Lem.; Dracocephalum regelii Voss [Invalid]; Dracocephalum speciosum Sweet; Dracocephalum virginianum L. ….; Physostegia denticulata (Aiton) Britton; Physostegia formosior Lunell .; Physostegia granulosa Fassett; Physostegia imbricata Hook.; Physostegia latidens House; Physostegia nivea Lundell; Physostegia speciosa (Sweet) Sweet .; Physostegia virginiana f. alba (J.W.Moore) B.Boivin ……….; Prasium coccineum Walter);
.
Canada to NE. Mexico as per WCSP;
.
Physostegia virginiana (obedient plant, obedience, or false dragonhead)[1] is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to North America, where it is distributed from eastern Canada to northern Mexico.[1] Physostegia are known commonly as obedient plants because a flower pushed to one side will often stay in that position.[2] The name false dragonhead refers to the dragonheads of the related Dracocephalum,[2] a genus to which the plant once belonged.[3]
It is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing clumps of stiff, squared stems 2 to 4 feet tall. The leaves are lance-shaped and toothed. It has long, dense spikes of lipped, pinkish, “snapdragon-like” flowers in the summer.[2]
There are two recognized subspecies. The ssp. praemorsa is more widespread farther south, to Texas and New Mexico, and the ssp. virginiana extends farther north and west.[4]
It is considered a good plant for adding late-season flowers to a garden. Fertile soils produce robust growth and wide spreading, and the plant may require staking. When it grows tall it has a “tendency toward floppiness” that can be controlled with pruning. It can be aggressive and dominate a landscape.[2]
Physostegia virginiana from California-New for our database-GSSEP2016/02 : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (2) Physostegia virginiana
Common names: Obedient plant, False dragonhead
Family: Lamiaceae
Found this beautiful ornamental, growing here in Fremont, California and flowering this month (Sept.’16) only.
Plant for ID-PC-02-08.09.2015 : 2 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (4) Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth. |
Physostegia virginiana (USA/ Poland)
Updated on November 29, 2025