Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Orobanchaceae

Genus:

Pedicularis

Species:

Pedicularis contorta var. ctenophora

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.