Aureolaria pedicularia, the fernleaf yellow false foxglove, fern-leaved false foxglove, or fernleaf false foxglove, is a parasitic plant of the family Orobanchaceae. Aureolaria pedicularia is native to parts of the eastern US, the Midwest, and adjacent Canada. This plant is known for its distinct leaf shape and overall plant size. The common names for Aureolaria pedicularia come from its fern-like leaves.
Introduction
Aureolaria pedicularia is a member of the family Orobanchaceae. Some common names for this plant include: fern-leaved false foxglove and fernleaf false foxglove. Aureolaria pedicularia is a hemiparasitic plant that gets some of its nutrients from a plant host. This hosts are perennial trees of the genus Quercus (oaks). Aureolaria pedicularia is recognized by its yellow petal color and distinctive fern-like leaves.
Description
Aureolaria pedicularia is a member of the genus Aureolaria. This plant has an average height from 1 foot to 4 feet, depending on the season. Aureolaria pedicularia is a root hemiparasite meaning it attaches to the roots of its hosts. Aureolaria pedicularia selectively parasitizes oaks (Quercus). Aureolaria pedicularia gets its nutrients from oak (Fagaceae). The part of the roots from the parasite (Aureolaria pedicularia) that take the nutrients from the oak selectively parasitize the favored hosts (oak).
Morphology
Aureolaria pedicularia has flowers with yellow petals. The leaves are simple, meaning they do not separate into leaflets. The leaf arrangement is opposite. There are two leaves at each attachment of a leaf on the stem or branch on the flower. The edges of the leaf blades have lobes. The flowers of Aureolaria pedicularia are bilateral. Each flower has five fused petals that form a tube. Aureolaria pedicularia also has four stamens. The fruit type for this flower is dry and splits open when it is ripe. The fruit type is a capsule. The fruit size is about 10–13 mm in length.
Taxonomy
Aureolaria pedicularia is in the family Orobanchaceae. This family is made up of 190 genera and 4,000 temperate species. Most species in the family Orobanchaceae, including Aureolaria pedicularia, are partial root parasites. Partial root parasites get their nutrients from another living plant. Species in the genus Aureolaria are also known as the false foxglove. Species in this genus are widespread over much of eastern North America. All members of this genus are root parasites. Observation was first presented by the noted American botanist Asa Gray.
There are about 21 synonyms for Aureolaria pedicularia. The subspecies are Aureolaria pedicularia var. carolinensis Pennell and Aureolaria pedicularia var. ambigens Fernald. These subspecies are distinguished by physical characteristics such as glandular hairs on the leaves and other traits such as the size. The distribution and nativism for the various varieties for Aureolaria pedicularia need addition study.
Two of the most common varieties ofAureolaria pedicularia's are A. pedicularia var. intercedens Pennell and A. pedicularia var. pedicularia. In North America, A. pedicularia var. intercedens is known from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Also in North America, A. pedicularia var. pedicularia is known from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Taxonomic history
Rafinesque published Pantenis pedicularis (or Aureolaria) and based it on Gerardia pedicularia L. (1753). Rafinesque did not officially establish the binomial name Aureolaria pedicularia but he did use it as an alternative for the taxon Pantenis pedicularis.
Distribution and habitat
Habitats for Aureolaria pedicularia include terrestrial locations such as cliffs, balds, ledges, forests, grasslands, ridges, rocky slopes, and woodlands. This plant lives in partly shady areas to sunny areas. The soil typical for this plant is dry and sandy soil. Aureolaria pedicularia is most commonly found in open oak woods and savannas. The bloom season is from the months of May to October.
The overall US distribution for Aureolaria pedicularia is throughout most of eastern North America the Great Lake states and parts of the mid-west
Uses
Aureolaria pedicularia was used by the Cherokee as a drug for antidiarrheal purposes. Also, Aureolaria pedicularia is commonly used as a food-plant by deer.