Freshwater Wetlands/ Purple Gerardia

COMMON NAME: Purple Gerardia

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Agalinis purpurea  

FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetlands

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 5 inches to 4 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late August to October

FRUITING TIME: September to November

DISTRIBUTION: All of New Jersey ~ Nova Scotia to Florida

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Flower rose-purple, single flower on stalk, each flower lasts only one day ~ Calyx (outermost set of floral leaves) pointed ~ Leaves narrow, linear, entire, to 2 inches long ~ Stems branched, smooth

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Scrophulariaceae) commonly called the Figwort or Snapdragon Family consists of 224 genera and 4,450 species of herbs and a few shrubs and trees.  Members of this family are cultivated as ornamentals including Snapdragons, Slipper-Flowers and Empress-Tree. The name of the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) alludes to the plant’s use in ancient times as treatment for scrofula.  In this condition, the lymph nodes of the neck, infected with tuberculosis, swell to form hard, protruding lumps beneath the skin.  Figwort root resembles these swollen glands and according to the Doctrine of Signatures, which holds that a plant’s appearance (signature) indicated the ailments its treats, the herb was considered appropriate reamed for scrofula.  In the 16th and 17th centuries, figworts were the best medicinal plants for relieving all kinds of swellings and tumors.  Figwort’s traditional use as a treatment for swellings and tumors continues in Europe to this day.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.