Also known as Obedient Plant, Accommodation Flower or American Heather it is an herbaceous perennial to 1m tall, with erect, square stems bearing lance-shaped, toothed leaves. From midsummer to early autumn it produces purple to pink (occasionally white) tubular flowers, held in short, upright spikes; the flowers are good for cutting. Some of the common names refer to individual blooms, which will stay in position if moved around on their stalks.