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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Physostegia intermedia
Physostegia intermedia (Nutt.) Engelm. & A. Gray
Spring Obedient Plant, Marsh Obedient Plant, Slender False Dragonhead, Intermediate False Dragonhead
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Synonym(s): Dracocephalum intermedium, Physostegia micrantha
USDA Symbol: phin8
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The slender, 1-5 ft. stem of this perennial is solitary and usually unbranched. Its leaves are large and numerous toward the bottom, becoming progressively smaller and more widely spaced upward. Purple-streaked, lavender, funnel-shaped flowers cluster in terminal spikes.
This plant will grow in shallow, standing water. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , IL , KY , LA , MO , OK , TXNative Distribution: KY & two s. IL cos. to extreme s.e. MO, s. to LA & TX
Native Habitat: Stream banks Flood plains, Marshes, Swamps, Flood plains, bottomland
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Moist, heavy soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Excellent plant when used at the edge of the water garden. Can be planted in gardens in part-shade with moist soil. Easy to grow. Good for wetland gardens and habitat. Can be used in shallow, standing water. It also has potential to be invasive.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Showy, Blooms ornamental, Bog or pond area, Water garden, Perennial gardenUse Wildlife: Obedient plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Nectar-Bees, Nectar-insects
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root DivisionFind Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native plants for seasonal poor drainage
May 16, 2006
I have an area in my front yard that has a drainage ditch running through it. When it rains, that area stays very wet. What kind of plants available for sale will work in this situation?
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACW | OBL | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiBibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Physostegia intermedia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Physostegia intermedia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Physostegia intermedia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-23Research By: NPC