True foxgloves generally refer to the genus Digitalis. False foxgloves refer to a number of plants in what was formerly the snapdragon family, now fragmented and variously assigned based upon new phylogenetic findings, but all have large diameter tubular corollas, the sort of thing a fox might use as gloves. Today's fabulous flower is Aureolaria grandiflora, native to dry upland forest glades and river bluffs here in Lincolnland. The big yellow flowers are pretty showy, and the plant is pretty handsome, but it's not been introduced into horticulture because of one interesting fact: it's a root parasite that specializes on oak trees. It's also green, so we call it a hemiparasite, and that's one of the attractions for botanists. Why be green if you're a parasite, and conversely, why be a parasite if you're green? All such former members of the snapdragon family are presently placed in the Broom-rape family (Orobanchaceae). These are generally pollinated by bumblebees that crawl inside to tube to reach the nectar below. The top of this flower is to the upper right and the anthers and stigma are positioned in the "top" of the tube.
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3 weeks ago in Genomics, Medicine, and Pseudoscience
4 comments:
I met a false foxglove a few weeks ago in Ohio, but I'm not sure I identified it correctly. You seem a bit more familiar with plants from that region than I am, so I'm hoping you might be able to confirm the id for me. Does this this look like Aureolaria pedicularia to you?
Yes, looks like your ID is correct, but haven't seen that species in more than 30 years! They are great looking plants, for parasites!
If you get the chance, Kitty Todd Nature Preserve (where I took this photo) in Ohio has lots of rare and interesting plants.
It will be put on the list; but made the mistake of giving Mrs. Phactor a book called "1001 gardens you should visit before you die". So we have quite a list!
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