May 2008
Ohio Prairie Plant of the MonthSpecies
Common Name: Purple False Foxglove
Latin Name: Agalinis purpurea [Pronounced: "ah-GAL -inn-iss purr-purr-EE-ah"]
Formerly, the species was Gerardia purpurea, common name Purple Gerardia
Type of Plant: Forb
Identification Helps: A native annual plant, growing up to 1.5 ft., with pinkish to purpurple flowers (as in photo on left) in late summer and autumn.
There are a number of other foxgloves in prairie habitats. Identification can be made by referring to a techinical manual or detailed field guide. This is the most common Agalinis in Ohio prairies.
Preferred Growing Conditions in the Wild: Purple False Foxglove grows in moist, sandy prairie soils, often in semi-shaded savannas, often in somewhat disturbed sites.
Preferred Soils: Moist sand or silts, generally of acid pH.
Seasons of Growth and Bloom: This forb blooms from August through October.
Natural Distribution in Ohio: Purple False Foxglove is found in appropriate habitats in all Ohio prairie regions except the Central Till Plains.
Description and General Information: This showy species is one of the few prairie annuals, thriving with the production of abundant seed in disturbed or open sandy sites.