Whorled lousewort

Description

Pedicularis verticillata, the whorled lousewort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae which can be found in Alaska, North-Western Canada, and everywhere in China at the elevation of 2,100–4,400 metres (6,900–14,400 ft). Its native habitats include moist meadows and lakeshores. The plant is a perennial herb and is 15–35 centimetres (5.9–13.8 in) high. The stems are erect at the center and have hairs which come in four lines. It leaves carry 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long petioles which are white coloured while its leaf-blades are oblong, lanceolate and are 2.5–3 centimetres (0.98–1.18 in) by 1–1.2 centimetres (0.39–0.47 in) (sometimes they are as wide as 1.8 centimetres (0.71 in)). Both stem and basal leaves are of the same length while the species' calyx is red and is 6 millimetres (0.24 in) long and is ovoid. Raceme is inflorescent and dense, with white coloured flowers. It corolla is of purple colour and is 1.3 centimetres (0.51 in) with right tube being bent. The galea is falcate, 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long and rounded at the front. The plant' capsule is 1–1.5 centimetres (0.39–0.59 in) by 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in), and is both apiculate and lanceolate with the seeds being 1.8 millimetres (0.071 in) long. Pedicularis is a genus of perennial green root parasite plants currently placed in the family Orobanchaceae (the genus previously having been placed in Scrophulariaceae sensu lato. Between 350 and 600 species are accepted by different authorities, mostly from the wetter northern temperate zones, as well as from South America. The highest diversity is in eastern Asia, with 352 species accepted in China alone. The common name lousewort, applied to several species, derives from an old belief that these plants, when ingested, were responsible for lice infestations in livestock. The genus name Pedicularis is from the Latin pediculus meaning louse. Bombus polaris has an essential role in the pollination of the large zygomorphic flowers of Pedicularis. B. polaris has a special adaption that allows it to work the spikes of Pedicularis from the bottom towards the top.