Rough agalinis (Agalinis aspera) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9

Special Significance of the Species

Agalinis is a hemiparasitic plant that, because of its unusual lifestyle, has been placed in a separate family, the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae), with other species of similar biology. The generic name in Latin means “remarkable flax”. The basis for this name is uncertain. The plant does not appear to have any specific economic uses nor does there appear to be any recorded Aboriginal traditional knowledge regarding this species. In spite of the showy flowers, all species in this genus turn black when dried for plant collections and so have no special value for hobbyists wishing to use the plants for decorative arrangements (NPWRC 2005). Agalinis aspera is specially adapted to prairie habitat and may represent a unique evolutionary line.

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