obedient plant

Physostegia virginiana, commonly known as obedient plant or false dragonhead, is a perennial flowering plant native to eastern North America. It belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is known for its attractive spikes of flowers. It typically blooms from mid to late summer, usually from July to September. The flowers attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

The common name "obedient plant" comes from the ability of its individual flowers to be moved and repositioned without breaking the stem. If you push a flower to one side, it will remain in that position until moved again, hence giving it the appearance of being obedient.

Obedient plant is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscaping. It can be propagated through seeds or division of clumps in early spring or fall. It prefers moist soil conditions but can tolerate periods of drought once established. Regular watering and mulching can help retain soil moisture.

Obedient plant typically grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) and forms clumps of erect stems. The leaves are lance-shaped, toothed, and arranged oppositely along the stem. The plant produces dense spikes of tubular flowers that can be pink, lavender, or occasionally white white in color. The flowers are arranged in a vertical column and resemble snapdragon flowers.

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Physostegia virginiana is a highly variable species. Many varieties and subspecies have been described. An analysis of several varieties and subspecies (Cantino, 1982) concluded that only two subspecies should be recognized, and they roughly equate to the northern and the southern groups. The northern subspecies P. v. ssp. virginiana is the only subspecies that occurs in Minnesota. USDA PLANTS shows the southern subspecies P. v. ssp. praemorsa also native to Minnesota, however no records of that subspecies in the state can be found.