Vinegrief
Perdita pes
Somnaceae (the Dream family)
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Description
A tall biennial with a deep taproot and rosette of basal leaves. Needle-like foliage arranged in spirals along the stem.
Bell-shaped flowers hang in nodding racemes, colored shadow purple. Blooms after the first frost.
Habitat
Colonizes disturbed ground, often the first to return after fire.
Traditional Uses
The sap was used to make a temporary ink that fades over weeks.
Folklore
Children believed it could reveal hidden paths through forests.
Similar Species
Distinguished from Copperwish.
Conservation
Abundant and widespread - no conservation concerns.
Field Notes
Often found in the company of other shade-loving species.