Agalinis is a genus of about 70 species of annual hemiparasitic plants that are native to North, Central, and South America. They are commonly known as false foxgloves because their flowers resemble those of the foxglove genus (Digitalis). However, they are not closely related to foxgloves, but belong to the family Orobanchaceae, which includes other parasitic plants such as broomrapes and louseworts.

The name Agalinis comes from the Greek word aga, which means remarkable, and linum, which is the Latin word for flax. This is because some species of Agalinis have flax-like flowers that are remarkable for their beauty and diversity. The species name tenuifolia, for example, means narrow leaves, and refers to the slender foliage of this species.

Agalinis plants are hemiparasites, which means they can photosynthesize their own food, but also tap into the roots of other plants using specialized structures called haustoria. These allow them to transfer sugars and proteins from their hosts, which are usually grasses or sedges. This gives them an advantage in poor, dry soils where other plants may struggle to survive.

Agalinis flowers are usually pink or purple, with a tubular corolla and five rounded or notched lobes. They have a white throat that is often spotted with red or purple. The flowers are pollinated by bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. They only last for one day, or sometimes less than a full day, and then wither away. The seeds are small and have various patterns on their surfaces that can help identify the species.

Some species of Agalinis are rare or endangered due to habitat loss or degradation. One of them is Agalinis acuta, also known as sandplain gerardia or sandplain false foxglove. It is native to Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Long Island, New York. It grows in sandy coastal plain habitats that are maintained by natural disturbances such as grazing or fire. It was listed as endangered in 1987 under the Endangered Species Act.

Agalinis plants are not easy to grow in cultivated landscapes, but they can be appreciated in their natural habitats where they add color and diversity to the flora. They are remarkable plants that have adapted to parasitize other plants while still producing their own food and beautiful flowers.

One of the most widespread and common species of Agalinis is Agalinis tenuifolia, also known as slender-leaved agalinis or slender false foxglove. It is found throughout most of the eastern and central United States and Canada, as well as parts of Mexico. It grows in open habitats such as prairies, meadows, fields, roadsides, and savannas. It has narrow leaves that are up to 2.5 centimeters long and one millimeter wide. Its flowers are pink with a white throat that has red spots. It blooms from August to October.

Another species of Agalinis that is notable for its beauty and rarity is Agalinis skinneriana, also known as Skinner’s false foxglove or Skinner’s agalinis. It is endemic to Florida, where it grows in sandhills and scrub habitats. It has broader leaves than most other species, up to 1.5 centimeters wide. Its flowers are purple with a white throat that has purple spots. It is self-compatible, which means it can fertilize itself without the need for pollinators. It is visited by bees and butterflies that are attracted to its nectar. It blooms from September to November.

A species of Agalinis that is unique for its habitat and morphology is Agalinis maritima, also known as seaside false foxglove or salt marsh false foxglove. It is native to the Atlantic coast of North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida. It grows in salt marshes and brackish wetlands, where it tolerates high salinity and flooding. It has fleshy leaves that are succulent and store water. Its flowers are pink with a white throat that has purple stripes. It blooms from July to September.