Canadian lousewort.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Perennial wildflower

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

6 to 16 inches

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 8

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil dry to moderately moist and well drained, never waterlogged, to mimic its natural habitat of open woods and prairies. Watch for wilting or yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant needs more consistent moisture. Since it is hemiparasitic, ensure it is planted near suitable host plants to thrive.

Watering

Water during long dry spells, letting the top of the soil dry slightly between waterings. Established plants tolerate dry to medium soil.

Feeding

This plant generally does not require supplemental fertilizer when grown in native soil.

Pruning

Trim back dead foliage in late autumn after the plant has gone dormant.

Repotting

Repot only if necessary, as this species prefers to remain undisturbed in its native habitat.

Soil

Well draining, loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-30 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered toxic if ingested and should be handled with care.

Children

Keep this plant away from small children as ingestion of any part may cause illness.

Contact allergens

There are no known significant skin irritants associated with this plant.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and may contain compounds that cause gastrointestinal distress.

How to identify it

• Fern like basal leaves
• Dense spikes of yellow flowers
• Hooded upper flower petals
• Hairy stems and foliage

Height

0.15 to 0.4m

Spread

0.1 to 0.2m

Leaves

green, bronze, deciduous

Flowers

yellow, red, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

• Root rot · Occurs when the soil remains too wet for extended periods.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant this species near native grasses to ensure it has a host plant to support its growth.

Grows well with

• Little Bluestem · This grass serves as a suitable host for the hemiparasitic roots of the lousewort.
• Wild Bergamot · They thrive in similar prairie conditions and provide a nice visual contrast.

Similar species

• Swamp Lousewort · It is a related species that prefers much wetter soil conditions.

Science

Family

Orobanchaceae

Genus

Pedicularis

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and central North America

Conservation

It is not currently listed as endangered, but wild populations are sensitive to habitat destruction.

It survives by tapping into the root systems of surrounding grasses and other perennials to extract water and nutrients.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, bumblebees

Uses

native plant gardens, meadow restoration, wildlife habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?

It is very difficult to grow in a container because it requires a host plant to thrive.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade to full sun in well drained soil.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pedicularis comes from the Latin word for louse, as it was once believed that livestock eating it would become infested with lice. The species name canadensis refers to its native range in Canada.

Good to know

• The common name wood betony is shared with a different plant in the mint family.
• It is a hemiparasitic plant that relies on host plants for some nutrients.
• The flowers are uniquely shaped to be pollinated by bumblebees.
• It is often found in dry, open woods and prairies.