Lousewort
Pedicularis sylvatica
- Native to:
- Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine
Anne Burgess (www.geograph.org.uk)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus:
- Pedicularis
- Species:
- Pedicularis sylvatica
- USDA Symbol:
- PESY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Parasite
- Height:
- 25 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, red
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bumblebees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- peaty, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in bogs and wet heaths
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Hemiparasitic; germinates best when sown near host grass roots. Requires cold stratification and consistent moisture.