Native Plants

Plant Database

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Cressler, Alan

Physostegia virginiana

Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth.

Fall Obedient Plant, False Dragonhead, Virginia Lions-heart

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PHVI8

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Erect 5 ft. square stems frequently grow in clumps and bear long, lanceolate leaves and 4-6 in., terminal spikes of pink to lavender, tubular flowers. The perennial’s long-lasting flowers have five triangular lobes, two forming an upper lip and three forming a lower lip.

This attractive plant is snapdragon-like, but its square stem is typical of the mint family. If the flowers are bent, they tend to stay in the new position for a while, hence the common name Obedient Plant. Several garden forms occasionally escape to the wild. Flowers can be swivelled into new positions where they stay obediently. (Ontario Native Plants 2002)

From the Image Gallery

29 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Que. to MN & e. SD, s. to FL, TX, and Coahuila in northern Mexico; reported in MT
Native Habitat: River banks; wet thickets; prairies, River banks, swamps, and low grounds in East and North Central Texas. Sand, clay, limestone; poor drainage okay.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, humus-rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Obedient plant receives its name from the characteristic fact that if you manipulate an individual flower back and forth on its axis, it will stay in position you place it. It is wonderfully adaptable, tolerating both drought and poor drainage. Spreads aggressively by stolons, but is easy to pull out and keep in check. Obedient plant is a good nectar source for butterflies. This perennial is easy to establish and maintain. It can become aggressive but the shallow roots are easy to pull out.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Description: Propagate by division of roots or by seed. Plant seeds in fall or in spring after damp stratification. Clumps that form from spreading stolons can be divided in early spring or late fall.
Seed Collection: Seeds are 1/8", dull-brown nutlets.
Seed Treatment: Damp stratify 3 months at 40 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native plants for shady small spaces in Houston, TX
June 18, 2006
What are the best plants and flowers to plant in small spaces in an urban area in Houston, Texas? I have several flower beds that are 3 foot wide and 10-12 foot long that get half day sun. The area...
view the full question and answer

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW		FACW		FAC	FACW		FACW	FACW	FACW

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge, c/o Wimberley Birding Society - Wimberley, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Georgia Native Plant Society - Atlanta, GA
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 812 - All-Season Backyard Birdwatcher : Feeding and Landscaping Techniques Guaranteed to Attract the Birds You Want Year Round (2005) Schneck, M.
Bibref 631 - Bogs, Meadows, Marshes, and Swamps: A Guide to 25 Wetland Sites of Washington State (1996) Churney, M. & S. Williams
Bibref 94 - Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. (1995) Turner, N. J. & A. F. Szczawinski
Bibref 941 - Wild Garden: Instant Reference to More Than 250 Plants (2002) Huntington, L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Physostegia virginiana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Physostegia virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Physostegia virginiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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