Common Name:
PURPLE FALSE FOXGLOVE
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Coefficient of Conservatism:
7
Coefficient of Wetness:
-3
Wetness Index:
FACW
Physiognomy:
Nt A-Forb
R. W. Smith
Sandy, gravelly, and rocky shores (of Great Lakes and inland lakes and ponds) and interdunal swales, especially after lowering of water levels; fens, sedge meadows, bogs; sand prairies and wet calcareous banks.
This, our commonest and most widespread species in the genus, is also our most easily recognized one, thanks to its short and relatively stout pedicels. The leaves are less than 1.5 mm (very rarely 2.7 mm) broad. Flowering plants may be as short as 5 cm or as tall as 60 cm; in any event, the relatively large ratio of corolla to foliage makes a stand of Agalinis a very colorful sight.
The large-flowered Agalinis purpurea subsp. purpurea has corollas at least 2 cm long, styles ca. 1.5 cm or more long, and calyx lobes less than 2 mm long; such plants are known very locally in the southernmost two tiers of counties. Other relatively large-flowered plants are known north to Newaygo and Saginaw Cos., but these have longer calyx lobes and/or shorter styles. Smaller-flowered plants occur throughout and may be called A. purpurea subsp. parviflora (Benth.) Á. Löve & D. Löve (or var. parviflora (Benth.) B. Boivin). These smaller-flowered plants may, however, have calyx lobes ranging from 1.2–4 mm with little correlation with size of corolla. More work is needed, but it seems that the best generalization for Michigan is that the farther north one goes, the smaller the corollas tend to be. If recognized at species rank, small-flowered plants are A. paupercula (A. Gray) Britton.