Dyschoriste oblongifolia (Michx.) Kuntze

Oblong Leaf Snake Herb; Blue Twinflower

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Oblong Leaf Snake Herb is a native herbaceous perennial in the Acanthus family (ACANTHACEAE). It is found in a three counties in southeast Alabama along the Georgia line. Oblong Leaf Snake Herb occurs in dry, sandy, upland pine woods, in xeric scrub oak woods, in sand hills, and on roadsides. It is a mat forming perennial from elongated slender rhizomes. Stems are from 3-12 inches in height and are pilose. Leaves are opposite, sessile, oblanceolate to elliptic in outline, pubescent, and ciliate along the margins. Flowers are solitary or clustered in the axils of the leaves. Flowers are funnelform with the tube shorter than the throat. Flowers are light blue in color with a reticulated pattern in dark purple on lower throat and lip. Plants flower throughout the warmer months of the year. The fruit is a capsule. Oblong Leaf Snake Herb is listed as an S1 species in Alabama (typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state). Oblong Leaf Snake Herb makes an excellent ground cover for sunny, dry sites. It is available from many native plant nurseries. It can also be grown from seed, and clumps can be divided.--A. Diamond

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Native S1 (State Rank) G4G5 (Global Rank)

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