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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Physostegia intermedia (Nutt.) Engelm. & A. Gray
Intermediate false dragonhead, Marsh obedient-plant, Obedient-plant, Slender false dragonhead, Spring obedient plant
Synonym(s): Dracocephalum intermedium, Physostegia micrantha
USDA Symbol: phin8
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The slender, 1-5 ft. stem of this perennial is solitary and usually unbranched. Its leaves are large and numerous toward the bottom, becoming progressively smaller and more widely spaced upward. Purple-streaked, lavender, funnel-shaped flowers cluster in terminal spikes.
This plant will grow in shallow, standing water. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial Habit: Herb Size Notes:
1-5 feet. Fruit: Size Class:
Bloom InformationBloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
, TX Native Distribution: KY
& two s. IL
cos. to extreme s.e. MO,
s. to LA
& TX Native Habitat:
Stream banks Flood plains, Marshes, Swamps, Flood plains, bottomland
Growing ConditionsWater Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, heavy soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Excellent plant when used at the edge of the water garden. Can be planted in gardens in part-shade with moist soil. Easy to grow. Good for wetland gardens and habitat. Can be used in shallow, standing water. It also has potential to be invasive.
Showy, Blooms ornamental, Bog or pond area, Water garden, Perennial
garden Use Wildlife:
Obedient plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Nectar-Bees, Nectar-insects Conspicuous Flowers:
PropagationPropagation Material: Root Division
Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native plants for seasonal poor drainage
May 16, 2006
I have an area in my front yard that has a drainage ditch running through it. When it rains, that area stays very wet. What kind of plants available for sale will work in this situation?
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1
(Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here
for map of regions.
Record Last Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: NPC