Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Orobanchaceae

Genus:

Pedicularis

Species:

Pedicularis scopulorum

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Parasite

Height:

40 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun, jul, aug

Bloom Colors:

pink, purple

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Minimum Light:

Part Sun

Best Light:

Full Sun

Habitat:

Alpine, Meadow, Wetland

Wildlife Value:

bees

Ecology:

A hemiparasitic alpine herb native to the central and southern Rocky Mountains, commonly parasitizing surrounding sedges and grasses in wet subalpine and alpine tundra meadows. Flowers are pollinated by bumblebees (Bombus species).

Soil Requirements

Soil:

loam — also tolerates peaty, rocky

pH:

acidic to neutral

Drainage:

moist to wet

Moisture:

moist to wet

Notes:

Occurs in organic-rich, peaty, or gravelly soils kept consistently moist by seepage and meltwater.

Propagation & Germination

Notes:

Requires cold moist stratification for 60 to 90 days; seeds are hemiparasitic and establishment often depends on the presence of appropriate host roots.