Earleaf Foxglove, Agalinis auriculata

The earleaf foxglove is an annual, hemi-parasite and is critically imperiled in Indiana.  Hemi- parasite means that it will take water and minerals from other plants.  This plant parasitizes several species of grasses, sunflowers and coneflowers.   They grow in dry prairies, fallow fields, thickets, and the borders of upland forests.  The earleaf foxglove can be distinguished from other species of Agalinis by the prominent ear-like lobes at the leaf base.  These plants are threatened by the conversion of native prairie to cropland and the planting of exotic grass species in pastures.  Repeated mowing of prairie habitat may also threaten this plant.