Culver's root: Veronicastrum virginicum

Culvers' root is a native plant that takes some searching to find here in central PA.  Below I have photos of specimens from three locations that I saw recently two of which were in locations I would have assumed to be too xeric to support them. 

 

These first two photos are of the same specimen located near a powerline right-of-way near Coleville.  The habitat is a south facing slope, xeric, thin soil derived from limestone (probably of the opequon series).  The habitat surprisingly does not contain many of the native C4 grasses I thought would grow here, but is heavily studded with eastern red cedars and many common native forbs associated w/ XLP's.  Perhaps this area would be better characterized as a limestone cedar glade/woodland complex.

Next is a specimen I found today at the Big Bluestem Prairie at Big Hollow.  Once again this plant has grown in a drier place than expected, w/in the root zone of Centaurea maculosa, which is a exotic invader, but is nonetheless a pretty good indicator of xeric soil.

Finally there's this markedly taller specimen growing in a solidly mesic location amongst canada goldenrod and wild bergamont at the PSU arboretum woods.