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Name That Plant!

native? wildflower #2

9 years ago

Found this growing wild at a local park (zone 5). Blooming in late Sept-Oct. Total height was under 2'. Though it isn't obvious from the two larger flower heads at the top, blooms are formed only on one side of the stem making them dip forward a bit from the weight. Could be a foreign introduction as I have not noticed it before, though it is not all that conspicuous of a plant, so I certainly may have just over looked it in the past. Thanks for your help in IDing it!

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Comments (12)

Kirstin Zone 5a NW Chicago
9 years ago
It looks like it could be Itea virginica, but boom time is wrong--Itea blooms in May/June, and has nice red foliage in fall.
scmatlanta_gw
9 years ago
Agastache foeniculum - Anise Hyssop, perhaps.
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jekeesl (south-central Arkansas)
9 years ago
If this is Agastache, and the OP lives in NY, then A. scrophulariifolia is possible.
Iris GW
9 years ago
I don't know what it is, but I don't think it is any of those things.
w1ldflower
Original Author
9 years ago
I am familiar with anise hyssop and I don't believe this is anything in the mint family because of the lack of square stems and the flower formation wasn't cylindrical. Will have to flip through some of my books of native plants and see what I might be able to come up with. Will post a follow up if/when I have a better idea. Thanks for your suggestions!
samhain10 - 5a
9 years ago
jekeesl might be right - here's a fairly good photo (if the link works) of something that looks pretty similar.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:356355}}
pitimpinai
9 years ago
Not Itea virginica.
I have Itea virginica. It does not look like this plant.
lycopus
9 years ago
The blade of the leaf of Agastache scrophulariifolia is wider at the base. It would help to have a better shot of the flowers.
w1ldflower
Original Author
9 years ago
Here is a closer shot of the flower. Not the cleanest but you can definitely see that the buds are formed just on one side. Sorry, no idea what the technical term for that is. Also shows a bit of pubescence which I had overlooked in my previous description. Thanks again!!
carol23_gw
9 years ago
A botanist from the University of Tennessee believes it is Elscholtzia stauntonii.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:356357}}
lycopus
9 years ago
Elsholtzia looks like a match. Elsholtzia ciliata is known from NY and New England.

BTW, secund is the term one would use for arrangement of the flowers to one side of the axis.
w1ldflower
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you both! I agree that looks correct. Thanks also, lycopus for the botany lesson! Much appreciated!

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