Coiled Lousewort
Pedicularis contorta
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus:
- Pedicularis
- Species:
- Pedicularis contorta
- USDA Symbol:
- PECO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Parasite
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bumblebees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained alpine soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- found in subalpine meadows and rocky slopes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Hemiparasitic; requires host plant roots nearby for successful establishment. Germination can be erratic.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated with 500 ppm gibberellic acid for 15 minutes, rinsed with distilled water, and placed into moist paper towels in an open plastic bag under refrigeration at 1 to 3 C for 90 days.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in late August when capsules begin to split and seeds are easily shaken out of capsules. Seeds are dark grey at maturity. Capsules are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. P. contorta occurs from B.C. to northern California, Alberta to north and west Wyoming, and central Idaho. It is found in high elevation meadows and slopes.
Source: npn.rngr.net