Question: I know this is a an extremely common plant along roadsides all over Maine, but would really love to know …
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Question
I know this is a an extremely common plant along roadsides all over Maine, but would really love to know what it is. It has just started blooming within the last week. I love the dense edging it creates along the road and the over all purple cast it has later in the fall. I think because it is so common, most people and wildflower books overlook it. Thank you!
Answer
This plant is called Odontites vulgaris (red false bartsia), a hemiparisitic plant in the Orobanchaceae. It is native to Europe, but has become more common around Maine in recent decades.
