Ducksbill Lousewort

Pedicularis ornithorhyncha

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Genus:
Pedicularis
Species:
Pedicularis ornithorhyncha
USDA Symbol:
PEOR

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:
pink, purple

Wildlife Benefits

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

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bumblebees
Deer Resistant:
Yes

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 alpine and subalpine meadows

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Hemiparasitic; requires host plant roots nearby for successful establishment. Germination can be erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI