Physostegia virginiana

Flower name
Physostegia virginiana
Scientific name
Physostegia virginiana
Alias花虎尾, Physostegia virginiana, カクトラノオ, 角虎の尾, フィソステギア, Physostegia
Place of originCentral and South America to Northern Mexico
Place of floweringFields and footpaths, Garden, Low mountains
Flowering seasonJuly, August, September, October
Language of flowersFaithful

What is Physostegia virginiana

Birth flowers for Jul 20

July 20th Birth Flower: Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

The obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana), also known as “Hanatoranoo” in Japanese, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to central and southern United States and northern Mexico.
It is also called “Kakutoranoo” (角虎の尾), Physostegia, obedient plant, obedience, and false dragonhead.
It was introduced to Japan during the Meiji era.
It is highly cold-hardy and spreads through underground rhizomes, often forming colonies once planted.

The plant grows to a height of 60–120 cm, with a square stem in cross-section.
The leaves are dark green, lanceolate, with serrated margins, and arranged oppositely.
From July to October, long spikes (racemes) emerge from the flowering stems, densely bearing small bilabiate (lip-shaped) flowers.
The flowers are typically pink, but variations in pale purple, white, and reddish-purple also exist.
The small flowers bloom from the bottom to the top of the spike.
It is commonly used for garden planting, borders, and cut flowers.

Origin of the Name
The genus name “Physostegia” derives from the Greek words physa (bladder or swollen) and stege (covering), referring to the inflated floral calyx and corolla structure.
The species name “virginiana” means “of Virginia,” indicating its place of origin.
The Japanese name “Hanatoranoo” (花虎尾, literally "flower tiger tail") refers to the flower spike resembling a tiger’s tail.
The alternate name “Kakutoranoo” (角虎の尾) refers to the plant’s square stem.
The English name “obedient plant” refers to the flower’s ability to be moved and stay in place relative to the stem, and “Physostegia” reflects the flower's structural features.

Language of Flowers
"Sense of accomplishment"

Common Name: Hanatoranoo (Obedient Plant)
Scientific Name: Physostegia virginiana
Synonyms: Kakutoranoo, Physostegia, obedient plant, obedience, false dragonhead
Classification: Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Lamiales > Lamiaceae > Physostegia
Native Range: Central and southern U.S. to northern Mexico
Life Form: Perennial herb
Height: 60–120 cm; Stem cross-section: square
Leaf Color: Dark green; Shape: Lanceolate; Margin: Serrated; Arrangement: Opposite
Blooming Season: July to October
Inflorescence: Spikes (racemes); Flower shape: Bilabiate (lip-shaped); Colors: Pink, pale purple, white, reddish-purple
Characteristics: Cold-hardy, vigorous spreader
Uses: Garden planting, borders, cut flowers

Related Pages
ハPhysostegia virginiana - Flower Database
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