Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Orobanchaceae

Genus:

Pedicularis

Species:

Pedicularis crenulata

USDA Symbol:

PECR

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Parasite

Height:

41 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

may, jun, jul, aug

Bloom Colors:

white, pink, purple

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Minimum Light:

Part Sun

Best Light:

Full Sun

Habitat:

Meadow, Wetland, Riparian

Wildlife Value:

bees

Ecology:

A hemiparasite commonly found in alkaline wet meadows, fens, streamsides, and moist valley bottoms across the Intermountain West and southern Rocky Mountains. It attaches to host plant root systems via haustoria while maintaining photosynthetic capability, and is primarily pollinated by bumblebees.

Soil Requirements

Soil:

loam

pH:

6.6 - 8.0 (neutral to alkaline)

Drainage:

moist to wet

Moisture:

moist to wet

Notes:

Associated with moist, alkaline to calcareous soils, often with high organic matter, frequently occurring in wet, peaty or marly substrates.

Propagation & Germination

Notes:

Seeds require cold-wet stratification to break physiological dormancy and typically exhibit enhanced development when germinated in the presence of host root exudates.