Canadian Lousewort - Pedicularis canadensis
Above: Canadian Lousewort in UW Arboretum's Curtis Prairie in Madison, Wisconsin on May 17, 2022.
Canadian Lousewort - Pedicularis canadensis
Canadian Lousewort produces a broad whorl of tubular, yellow (sometimes reddish) hooded flowers on top of a segmented stalk. The flowers are 5-parted and about 3/4" - 1" long. The lower flower lip may be a lighter yellow or white in color.
The flowers grow in a whirl around a conical spike that elongates with age.
This native flower grows in areas with dry to moderate moisture such as prairies, woods and forests.
Blooms April - June.
Other names include: Wood Betony, Forest lousewort.
Above: Canadian Lousewort leaves and stems in UW Arboretum's Curtis Prairie in Madison, Wisconsin on May 19, 2022. The leaves sometimes appear to be semi-evergreen, often reddish in spring or in full-sun.
For more information on Canadian Lousewort, visit Wikipedia.
Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Canadian Lousewort - Pedicularis canadensis.
Canadian Lousewort
Pedicularis canadensis
Above: Canadian Lousewort in UW Arboretum's Curtis Prairie in Madison, Wisconsin (5/17/22)
Above: Canadian Lousewort in UW Arboretum's Curtis Prairie in Madison, Wisconsin (5/19/22)
Above: Canadian Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) specimen collected on May 28, 2015 in Douglas County one mile south of Cedar Island Airport.
Above: 1913 line drawing of Pedicularis canadensis.
Above: Pedicularis canadensis line drawing from USDA NRCS, Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species., USDA NRCS National Wetland Team.
