Obedient Plant – Physostegia spp. (most likely P. virginiana)

Common Name: False Dragon Head, Obedient Plant

Botanical Name: Physostegia spp. (most likely P. virginiana), fi-so-STE-ji-a

Decorative Life: From about 7-14 days.

Flower Color: Lavender, Red, Violet, White

Availability: Summer

Most likely in the mid to low 30s but specific data lacking.

• From the Greek “physa”, a bladder, and “stege”, a covering.
• The somewhat popular common name “Obedient Plant” arises because the flowers remain put if re-positioned.
• Because of its spreading habit, can become a weed in garden settings.

Kelly and Starman (1990) showed that after one week of dry storage at 32F, flower vaselife was 8 days, down from 14 days with no storage. These findings assume that the flowers were STS treated and flower food is used.