Canadian Lousewort Pedicularis canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pe-dik-yoo-LAIR-is ka-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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Wood Betony is a perennial herbaceous plant in the broomrape family that is native to SE Canada, SE USA and eastern Mexico. In NC it is found in all areas although rare in the coastal plains. It can be found in a variety of habitats including open woods, thickets and clearings. It is a hemiparasite that attaches to the roots of different plants including some grasses but also produces its own chlorophyll.
The leaves are mostly in a basilar rosette with a few stem leaves. The lobed wavy-edged margins give in a ferny look. In April-June a spike of 2-lipped yellow flowers appears that bloom from the bottom up and attract bees.
Wood Betony prefers average well-drained soils in sun to partial shade. Use in a naturalized area, open woodland or in native plantings.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pedicularis
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Eaten as a vegetable by native Americans. Infusion of the roots used medicinally.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- Canada south to Florida
- Wildlife Value:
- Bumblebees pollinate the flowers.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Angular and hairy fruits
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- flower yellow and reddish corolla; long arching upper lip; borne in short, densely bracted end clusters
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped leaves, toothed and deeply cut; cluster of simple stems
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green or reddish-brown stalk covered in hairs
