A 2–4 ft perennial with bright yellow tubular flowers. Partially parasitic on oak roots — they can't survive without an oak host nearby.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Aureolaria levigata, commonly known as entireleaf yellow false foxglove or Appalachian oak-leech, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to much of the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas in the eastern United States. It is also found in a disjunct population in southwestern Mississippi.
Source: Wikipedia — Aureolaria levigata Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Tall plant with terminal cluster of yellow tubular flowers; lance-shaped leaves.
Similar species. True foxgloves (introduced; different family). Other parasites.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Native parasitic plant that derives nutrients from oak roots while photosynthesizing some of its own energy.
§ Range
Eastern US
§ Habitat
Oak-dominated forests and woodland edges
§ Threats
Oak loss, forest fragmentation.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the smooth false foxglove is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant only near oak trees. Support mature oak forests.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Aureolaria levigata
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Aureolaria laevigata
- iNaturalist · taxon 124762
- IUCN Red List — search for Aureolaria laevigata
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Aureolaria laevigata
§ Sources cited
- USDA Plants Database
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
