Plantaginaceae, the plantain family, formerly Scrophulariaceae, the figwort or snapdragon family.
Description:
Plant:
Erect stems, 1'-3', with dense, linear, blue-green leaves and terminal clusters
of bright yellow, snapdragon-like flowers. Perennial.
Flowers:
Yellow, two-lipped, bilateral, snapdragon-like, about 1" long,
in dense terminal clusters (racemes). Flowers have a long spur.
Leaves:
Lower leaves opposite or whorled, becoming alternate higher on
the stalk. Individual leaves are linear, almost grass-like, 1"-2" long,
densely packed on stems, and distinctly blue-green in color.
Fruit:
An ovoid capsule, 1/4"-1/2" long.
Blooming:
June-October
Habitat:
Fields, roadsides, waste areas.
Comments:
An introduced relative of the cultivated snapdragon.
A large group of snapdragon-like flowers, including the all the
beard-tongues and penstamons was recently moved from the
figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae)
on the basis of genetic studies.
The long spur contains nectar, and the plant
is pollinated by moths and other insects with long probosces.
This species is one of the latest blooming of the local wildflowers, and
can be seen along roadsides in bright clusters well after
first frost, and after even the late asters have faded.
Where to find it:
On the west boundary of the park near the Islamic center, and scattered
elsewhere.