Capitate lousewort
Pedicularis capitata
Common Names
capitate lousewort
many-headed lousewort
Synonyms
Pedicularis nelsonii
Subspecies
none
Genus: Pedicularis
Family: Orobanchaceae
Order: Lamiales
Full Classification
Duration – Growth Habit
Perennial – Forb/herb
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Identification and Information
Capitate lousewort is an herbaceous plant that grows from a slender rhizome. The stem is 2-14 cm (0.75-5.5 inches tall), unbranched, and without leaves. The plant has 2-3 ovate or elliptic, pinnatifid (feather-like or fern-like) basal leaves. The leaf surface may be glabrous or hirsute.
The inflorescence is one or two capitate racemes with 2-8 flowers. It has leaf-like green or reddish-tinged bracts. The flowers are composed of a calyx (sepals) that are 5-lobed and 10-15 mm long. The corolla (petals) are a longer, 19-40mm long, curved, two-lobed helmet that is light yellow to cream and diffuse purple at the apex. The corolla tube contains 4 sets of 2 stamens.
Similar to Labrador lousewort, P. capitata is partially parasitic.
One Inuit name for the flower is kukiujait, meaning resembles you fingernail, they are also called bananas because the corolla looks somewhat like a banana.
Uses
For information only (typically historical) – I take no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plant.
The plant contains poisonous glycosides, however, there are references to the corolla (petals) being edible and sweet tasting.
Distribution and Habitat
In North America, P. capitata is found in Alaska, northern Canada, as well as British Columbia and Alberta. The USDA also lists Quebec, but I found no other records of instances there. It is also found in northern and eastern Siberia. Both the USDA and GBIF list Greenland as well, but it is worth noting that GBIF only has one reported occurrence.
Its habitat mostly consists of arctic or alpine tundras and alpine slopes. It prefers moist soils, but tolerates a wide range of soils with different moisture content.
Classification
| Rank | Scientific Name (Common Name) |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae (plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants) |
| Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) |
| Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants) |
| Superdivision | Embryophyta |
| Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants, tracheophytes) |
| Subdivision | Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder | Asteranae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Orobanchaceae (broomrape) |
| Genus | Pedicularis L. (lousewort) |
| Species | Pedicularis capitata M.F. Adams (capitate lousewort) |
References and Further Reading
Guidebook
Field Guide to Alaskan Wildflowers, Pratt, Verna E. pg. 32
Classification and Taxonomy
Pedicularis capitata M.F. Adams Taxonomic Serial No.: 33353, ITIS Database
Pedicularis capitata M.F. Adams capitate lousewort, USDA Database
Uses
Pedicularis capitata : Many-headed Lousewort, Central Yukon Species Inventory Project
Pedicularis capitata Published by Daniel Mosquin on July 5, 2017, UBC Botanical Garden
Map and Distribution
P. capitata Capitate Lousewort, NatureServe Explorer
P. capitata Adams Published in: Adams. In: Mem. Soc. Nat. Mosc. 5: 100. (1817), GBIF
Description and Information
Pedicularis capitata : Many-headed Lousewort, Central Yukon Species Inventory Project
P. capitata Adams Nouv. Mém. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 5: 100. 1817., Flora of North America
Pedicularis capitata Adams, Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
