Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Orobanchaceae

Genus:

Pedicularis

Species:

Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Parasite

Height:

100 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun, jul, aug

Bloom Colors:

yellow, red

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Minimum Light:

Part Sun

Best Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Habitat:

Bog, Wetland, Meadow

Wildlife Value:

bees

Ecology:

A hemiparasitic wetland species typically found in calcareous fens, spring mires, and wet meadows. It forms haustorial connections with a variety of neighboring wetland plants, notably sedges and grasses. The large, closed flowers are specialized for pollination primarily by bumblebees capable of forcing open the corolla.

Soil Requirements

Soil:

peaty

pH:

neutral to alkaline

Drainage:

wet

Moisture:

wet

Notes:

Grows in waterlogged, nutrient-poor peaty substrates, base-rich fen peat, and calcareous organic soils.

Propagation & Germination

Notes:

Seeds exhibit morphophysiological dormancy requiring cold-wet stratification and typically establish more effectively in the presence of suitable host roots.