Pedicularis canadensis, commonly referred to as the canadian Lousewort, is a flowering plant is native to North America. It is perennial and herbaceous, as well as hemiparasitic, meaning it will often attach to a host plant. Early European explorers believed that their cattle’s lice were caused by the livestock munching on Canadian Lousewort.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Pedicularis canadensis, commonly called Canadian lousewort or wood betony, is a flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to North America, where it is found in southeastern Canada, the eastern United States, and eastern Mexico. It has a wide-ranging natural habitat, being found in mesic to dry forests, woodlands, and prairies.
The genus name Pedicularis is from Latin meaning “of or relating to lice”, from the belief that cows caught lice when grazing in pastures with the European Pedicularis palustris. The specific epithet canadensis refers to Canada. It was formerly included in the family Scrophulariaceae but is now considered to be in Orobanchaceae.
Pedicularis canadensis is a perennial, clonal, herbaceous plant, growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall. It has long, soft, hairy leaves (many are basal, growing tufted from roots), some 12 to 36 cm (4.7 to 14.2 in) long, deeply incised and toothed, often reddish-purple under sunlight. It blooms in the spring to summer, between April and June. It produces a broad whorl of tubular, hooded flowers on top of a segmented stalk. The flowers range in color from a greenish-yellow to purplish-red, clustered on short, dense spikes. They are pollinated by bumblebees. The fruit is a long brown seed capsule, which disperses through explosive dehiscence.
Two subspecies are accepted:
- Pedicularis canadensis subsp. canadensis — broadly distributed
- Pedicularis canadensis subsp. fluviatilis (A.Heller) W.A.Weber — restricted to northern New Mexico and Colorado
Pedicularis canadensis is a hemiparasite, attaching to the roots of diverse species, but also producing chlorophyll on its own. Its roots also have a symbiotic relationship with a fungus that helps it gather nutrients. It has been shown to be correlated with increase in floristic quality in prairies.
A leaf beetle, Capraita circumdata has been collected from inside of the flowers. Several ants have been recorded visiting the flowers, including: Crematogaster cerasi, Formica incerta, Formica subsericea, and Lasius alienus. Bees documented visiting the flowers of wood betony include Augochlorella aurata, Bombus auricomus, Bombus bimaculatus, Bombus fervidus, Bombus griseocollis, Bombus impatiens, Bombus vagans, Halictus confusus, and Lasioglossum anomalum.
II. How to Grow and Care
Canadian Lousewort thrives in woodland environments, suggesting a preference for dappled shade and well-drained, fertile soil. It’s a low-maintenance species particularly adapted to replicate natural forest floor conditions. Special care includes ensuring soil moisture without waterlogging and providing organic matter to mimic leaf litter. Avoiding direct, harsh sunlight is crucial for Canadian Lousewort’s well-being.
Sunlight
Canadian Lousewort flourishes best in partial sun conditions where it receives moderate light without the intensity of midday sunlight. It can tolerate full sun but may exhibit signs of stress with prolonged exposure, such as leaf scorch or reduced flowering. Optimal growth and health are maintained with morning light and afternoon shade, which prevents excessive transpiration and conserves moisture. While adaptable, Canadian Lousewort demonstrates resilience by adjusting leaf orientation to manage light intake. Outdoors, Canadian Lousewort should be planted where it can enjoy the dappled sunlight to ensure a balance between light absorption and protection from harsh rays.
Watering
Native to moist woodlands, Canadian Lousewort thrives in environments with consistent moisture, mirroring its habitat’s humidity levels. This species exhibits a preference for evenly moist soil conditions without prolonged dry spells. To maintain its lush growth, watering every week is recommended. Typically found in outdoor settings due to its affinity for natural rainfall patterns, canadian Lousewort benefits from the cooling effect of rain which supports its flowering phase and aids in maintaining the ideal soil moisture level.
Fertilizing
To foster robust growth in Canadian Lousewort, periodic fertilization with Balanced Nutrition Fertilizers, containing equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is advisable. Benefits include enhanced vigor and improved flowering potential. While optimal frequency is generally once at the onset of the growing season, assess soil fertility annually as canadian Lousewort’s native to nutrient-poor environments. Use fertilizer sparingly to avoid overfeeding and potentially harming the plant’s delicate system. Incorporate practical tips like diluting concentrated fertilizers and ensuring even application around the plant base for effective nutrient absorption.
Propagation
Canadian Lousewort is a herbaceous perennial that benefits from sowing as its primary propagation method. To ensure success, use fresh seeds and prepare a well-draining soil mix, lightly covering the seeds as they need light to germinate. Consistent moisture and a stable temperature aid in uniform germination. Transplant seedlings only after they’ve developed a robust root system to minimize stress and increase survival rates.
Transplanting
The prime time to transplant canadian Lousewort is when spring melds into summer, offering balanced conditions for root establishment. Choose a site mimicking its native environment—dappled shade and moist, rich soil. Ensure gentle handling to maintain the delicate root system.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
- Medicinal uses
American Indians used a root infusion as a remedy for stomach aches, diarrhea, anemia and heart trouble and made a poultice for swellings, tumors and sore muscles.
- Culinary uses
This plant was eaten by the Iroquois as a vegetable, often as a soup. It was added to oats and used as horse feed by Native Americans.
- Folklore
The Menomini called the root “enticer root” and carried it as a charm when determined on seducing the opposite sex. The root was also used to heal broken marriages by placing it in food the couple would both eat, hoping its magic would rekindle romance.