About Aureolaria pectinata (Nutt.) Pennell
Aureolaria pectinata (Nutt.) Pennell, commonly known as combleaf yellow false foxglove, false foxglove, and comb-leaf oakleach, is a plant species in the broomrape family native to the southeastern United States. It is an annual herbaceous plant, with oppositely arranged, fern-like leaves, and produces yellow flowers in late summer. A. pectinata is hemiparasitic, meaning it obtains part of its nutrients from other plants; it attaches to the roots of oak trees, which explains its common name "oakleach". This species is most often found in upland hardwood forest, savanna, and pine community habitats. Its bisexual flowers bloom from May to October. A. pectinata has only been observed growing in sites that have been burned, and does not occur in unburned sites. It is pollinated by both bees and hummingbirds, and acts as a larval host plant for the butterfly Euphydryas phaeton.
