Aureolaria pedicularia aka Fernleaf Yellow False Foxglove

Aureolaria pedicularia has the common name fern-leaf false foxglove. It is part of Orobanchaceae, the broomrape family. Its native range spans southeastern Canada and central and eastern America. It grows across North Carolina, from the coast to the mountains. In the wild, it grows at woodland edges. It also grows in meadows and thickets. It gets some food from the roots of oaks. Its hosts include black oaks and pin oaks.

This plant lives for one year or two. It grows fast, with an upright, bushy form. Plants reach 1–4 feet [0.3–1.2 metres] tall. Fine leaves look like fern fronds and give an open look. Two-year plants start with a basal rosette, a ring of leaves at ground level. These leaves have deep lobes and range from green to purple-green. In year two, smaller leaves grow in pairs across the stems. They range from lanceolate, or lance-shaped, to ovate, or egg-shaped. They have no leaf stalks and may have several paired lobes. Sticky glandular hairs coat the leaves beneath. Green or purple stems bear these hairs too. The hairs help tell it apart from other false foxgloves.

Yellow blooms last from summer into early fall. Each flower forms a funnel with five lobes spread at its mouth. Dark red marks or stripes lie in the throat. The blooms form a leafy raceme, with flowers along a stem. They give a long show of color. Bees, butterflies, and ruby-throated hummingbirds visit the blooms. Oval seed pods, called capsules, follow the flowers. The plant bears fruit in fall. Each pod has a slim beak and holds many seeds. The plant grows from seed and can self-seed freely.

Grow it in full sun or part shade. It prefers dry sandy loam that drains well. It also copes with dry soil and needs little care. An oak nearby helps meet its growing needs. Use it in borders or small groups near woods. It suits native, cottage, butterfly, and pollinator gardens too. Its yellow blooms and fine leaves suit plantings that look wild. Plan lasting displays around its one- or two-year life span.

Pests may include the Aureolaria seed borer, beetles, and aphids. Sources also report leaf spot and downy mildew as problems. They give no hardiness-zone rating for this plant. They give no proof of parts to eat or uses as medicine. They do not say whether it is toxic to people or pets.