Pedicularis contorta var. contorta
Pedicularis contorta var. contorta
- Native to:
- Canada | AB, BC | United States | CA, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY
GBIF: Larry Hufford
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus:
- Pedicularis
- Species:
- Pedicularis contorta var. contorta
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Parasite
- Height:
- 51 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Minimum Light:
- Part Sun
- Best Light:
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Habitat:
- Bog, Meadow, Montane, Alpine
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Ecology:
- Pedicularis contorta (curved-beak lousewort) is a hemiparasitic subalpine and alpine perennial that attaches to the roots of various neighboring plants via haustoria. Its distinctive coiled floral beaks are specialized for buzz pollination primarily by bumblebees (Bombus spp.).
Soil Requirements
- Soil:
- rocky — also tolerates loam, sandy
- pH:
- acidic to neutral
- Drainage:
- well-drained
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification for approximately 60 to 90 days. Hemiparasitic nature often requires the presence of a host plant for seedling survival and vigorous development.