Bracted Lousewort
Bracted lousewort (Pedicularis bracteosa sp.) is a perennial in the Orobanchaceae (broomrape) family.
- Unbranched stalks grow up to 1m from coarse and fibrous roots.
- Alternate fern-like leaves with toothed edges emerge on flowering stems.
- Beaked and complex yellow-red-purple complex flowers are lined up in columns on a terminal spike.
- After flowering, smooth seed capsules form.
- Bracted lousewort is found in wet meadows or in forest openings in subalpine areas and in sheltered damp spots in alpine areas.
- It is semi-parasitic, growing on the roots of other plants.
- It is sometimes known as wood betony or fernleaf.
- A related species is sickletop fogwort (see the article on this website).
- This flower was formerly in the figwort family.
We always enjoy spotting bracted lousewort in flower on our hikes into the alpine. It is an unusual and irregular flowering perennial.