PHYSOSTEGIA 



PHYSOSTEGIA. FALSE DRAGON'S HEAD 



Physostigia virginiana. 



Physostegia, Greek for bladdery covering; referring to the inflated 

 fruiting calyx. 



A perennial plant of extensive habitat, ranging from Quebec south 

 and south-west, through the Mississippi Valley. Somewhat recently 

 introduced into gardens; grows in clumps; flowers all summer. 



Stem. — Square, leafy, one to four 

 feet high. 



Leaves. — Opposite, oblong, serrate. 



Flowers. — Pale rose-purple, crowded 

 upon a simple or a panicled spike. 



Calyx. — Bell-shaped, five-lobed, 

 slightly inflated in fruit. 



Corolla. — Pale rose-purple, spotted 

 with darker dots, three-fourths of an 

 inch to an inch long, funnel-shaped, 

 slightly swollen, open-throated, two- 

 lipped; upper hp inflated, nearly 

 entire; lower lip three-lobed; middle 

 lobe the largest. 



Stamens. — Four, in two pairs under 

 the upper lip; outside pair the longer. 



Ovary. — Four-lobed; style one; stig- 

 ma two-lobed. 



Fruit. —Four nutlets at the base of 

 the inflated cal3fx. 



Physostegia virginiana is prov- 

 ing itself a good summer-blooming physostegia. Physostigia , 

 plant. The flowers, of the gaping 



labiate type, are borne in long crowded spikes, and range in 

 color through rosy-pink and lilac to white. A spicate inflores- 

 cence may be regarded either as an advantage or an objection to 

 a plant. It certainly lengthens the blooming period, which may 

 be charged to its credit; on the other hand, the buds, the bloom, 

 and the seed vessels are always together — the representatives of 

 the past, present, and future, all the time in evidence. 



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