Fern-leaf false foxglove is a native annual to biennial wildflower in the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) of central and eastern USA and can be found in all parts of NC. It is partially parasitic upon the roots of oaks and is found in wood edges, meadows and thickets, particularly near the black or pin oaks. This plant will grow 1 to 4 feet tall in a bushy habit and prefers a dry sandy loam in full to partial sun. Propagation is by seed and it will readily reseed itself. The funnel-shaped yellow flowers appear in summer to fall and the fern-like foliage gives it an airy look. It can be distinguished from other false foxgloves by the sticky glandular hairs and a bushier habit. Use fern-leaf false foxglove in the border or in groups of a pollinator, native, cottage or woodland garden. Does best with an oak in the vicinity. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for Aureolaria seed borer, beetles and aphids. Watch for leaf spot and downy mildew.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
3 inches long 2 inches wide medium green to a purple-green rosette of basal leaves the first year are deeply lobed. In the second year, similar but smaller stem leaves appear and are opposite, lanceolate to ovate, mostly entire, sticky glandular hairs on the undersides, sessile with 3-7 pairs of lobes.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
1-1.5 in., funnel-shaped, yellow flowers with dark red spots or stripes in the throat on leafy raceme; five flaring lobes at tip. It blooms from summer to early fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Oval seed capsule about ½" long that has a slender beak at its apex. Contains many seeds.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Smooth stem covered with glandular hairs, may be purple