Fall Obedient Plant

Description

Physostegia virginiana, commonly called Fall Obedient Plant, is a native perennial forb (wildflower) in the mint family. In Missouri, it is commonly found in a variety of habitats including open meadows, prairies, stream banks, gravel bars, wooded bluff bases and railroad track right-of-ways.

Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Occasionally, other long-tongued bees and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird may visit the flowers. These visitors seek nectar from the flowers. Like other members of the Mint family, Fall Obedient Plant is probably not a favored source of food for mammalian herbivores.

Plants in the mint family are typically not favored for grazing.

This plant prefers full or partial sun, and moist to average conditions. Growth is best in rich loamy soil, but it can contain some gravel or clay.  This plant is easy to grow if the site is not too dry. At moist sites, it sometimes spreads aggressively. Good choice for borders, cottage gardens, wild gardens, prairies or meadows.

Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, thickets, openings in woodland areas and along woodland borders, moist meadows along rivers and borders of lakes, seeps, limestone glades, and open moist areas near railroads.

This plant is commonly used in the following mixes: Prairie Patchwork Mix

Videos About This Plant

To learn more about this plant, check out our videos about it and its uses.

Prairie Patchwork | Native Wildflower Mix