Rough false-foxglove, known scientifically as Agalinis aspera, is currently in bloom across the bluff prairies in Hixon and the surrounding bluffs. In contrast to other plants in this genus, it prefers this dry, sandy, rocky habitat. While not uncommon on the bluff prairies in Wisconsin, this plant is not widely seen within its range which includes the central plains of North America from Texas to Canada. It is listed in Canada as endangered.
"Agalinis" is derived from the Greek "aga" and the Latin "linum" which, acccording to "Wildflowers of Wisconsin", means "remarkable flax". Recall that grooved yellow flax was recently featured as Plant of the Week # 14 - https://www.friendsoftheblufflands.org/post/plant-of-the-week-14-it-s-groovy The flowers of Agalinis plants are said to look like the flax flowers, but an upgraded version, therefore "remarkable". The species name "aspera" refers to the rough textured stem and leaves. But what is "false" about this plant? Well, it is said to resemble the non-native foxglove from Europe that are often seen planted as ornamentals in gardens, and gets labeled, maybe a bit unfairly, as "false". Fine, but how about "foxglove"? Where does it come from? For a "deep dive" into the origin of this name, here is a reference- https://web.archive.org/web/20130508161659/http://blog.oup.com/2010/11/foxglove/ . To summarize, the name seems to literally imply that foxes wore the flowers on their paws to silence their movements as they stealthily hunted their prey. Whew! As the reference says, "The origin of plant names in one of the most interesting areas of etymlogy"!
Rough false-foxglove's tubular flowers, which bloom from August to October, are purple to pink and emerge from the leaf axils, distinguishing them from others in the same genus. The petals of these flowers have delicate hairs along their edges. The bud and eventually the seed is cradled like a pearl in the calyx with 5 projections resembling fingers. In this species that pearl projects further from the fingers than others in this genus. While it may have difficulty standing out amidst the similarly colored blazing-stars, false-foxglove does offer a pleasant contrast to the prevalent yellows of goldenrods and sunflowers that currently dominate as summer draws to a close.
The population of this yearly plant fluctuates annually due to its reliance on producing seeds each year for survival. Being hemiparasitic, as indicated by its Family name Orobanchaceae, the plant is capable of generating sugars through photosynthesis, while also obtaining nutrients from neighboring plants by using specialized root extensions known as haustoria. It is believed that grasses are its preferred host, and it is possible that the false foxglove shown in the images above is drawing nutrients from the nearby big bluestem.
False-foxglove is a plant that attracts numerous insects. The larvae of the common buckeye butterfly specifically utilize this plant as their host.
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