Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Orobanchaceae

Genus:

Pedicularis

Species:

Pedicularis semibarbata

USDA Symbol:

PESE2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Parasite

Height:

8 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

may, jun, jul

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Minimum Light:

Part Shade

Best Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade

Habitat:

Temperate forest, Montane

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Ecology:

Like many species in the broomrape family, the lousewort is a root-parasite. This species taps nutrients from conifers and the lupine Lupinus fulcratus.

Soil Requirements

Soil:

sandy — also tolerates rocky, loam

pH:

acidic to neutral

Drainage:

well-drained

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

Occurs in gravelly, sandy, and decomposed granitic soils, often with thin organic duff layers.

Propagation & Germination

Notes:

Difficult to propagate ex situ due to its hemiparasitic nature; seeds typically require cold, moist stratification and the presence of suitable host roots or chemical exudates to support seedling development.