Howell's Lousewort

Pedicularis howellii

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Orobanchaceae
Genus:
Pedicularis
Species:
Pedicularis howellii

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Parasite
Height:
40 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
yellow, purple

Native Range

United States

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bumblebees

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers habitats near streams or wet meadows

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Notes:
Hemiparasitic; requires host plant roots nearby for successful establishment. Germination can be erratic.

Propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: Claude AI