Whorled lousewort (Pedicularis verticillata, Sp. Pl.: 608 (1753))

Family: Orobanchaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 608 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pedicularis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Subalpine Eurasia, Alaska to NW. & W. British Columbia

Description

The Whorled Lousewort, scientifically known as Pedicularis verticillata, is a unique and intriguing plant species within the Orobanchaceae family. First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his work “Species Plantarum,” this plant has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts with its distinctive characteristics and ecological adaptations.

Geographically distributed across subarctic and subalpine regions, Pedicularis verticillata thrives in the harsh climates of Eurasia, stretching its presence from the expansive stretches of Alaska to the northwest and western reaches of British Columbia. This rugged and resilient plant is well-suited to cold environments, demonstrating remarkable adaptations that allow it to survive and flourish in these regions.

The Whorled Lousewort is notable for the unique arrangement of its leaves, which are organized in a whorled fashion around the stem. This distinctive leaf arrangement not only provides the plant with its common name but also aids in maximizing photosynthesis in the dim subarctic light. The flowers of the Whorled Lousewort are equally fascinating, often appearing in shades of pink to purple, and they play a vital role in the plant’s reproductive cycle by attracting pollinators.

Ecologically, Pedicularis verticillata holds an important place within its habitat. It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning that while it can photosynthesize, it also partially derives nutrients by parasitizing the roots of nearby plants. This dual strategy enables it to thrive in nutrient-poor soils where other plants might struggle.

In sum, Pedicularis verticillata, or the Whorled Lousewort, is a remarkable species whose presence in subarctic and subalpine regions highlights the incredible adaptability of flora to extreme environments. Its intricate biological features and ecological roles make it a subject of continuous interest and study in the world of botany.

Common Names

Deu: quirlblättriges läusekraut
Eng: whorled lousewort
Fra: pédiculaire verticillée
En: Whorled lousewort, Verticillate Lousewort
Bg: Прешленесто пропадниче
Ca: Pedicularis verticil·lada
Zh: 玉山蒿草, 馬先蒿
Hr: Pršljenasti ušljivac
Cs: Všivec přeslenitý
Nl: Kranskartelblad, Kransbladig Kartelblad
Fi: Kiehkurakuusio
Fr: Pédiculaire verticillée
De: Quirlblättriges Läusekraut
It: Pedicolare a foglie verticillate
Ja: Takane-shiogama
Pl: Gnidosz okółkowy
Ru: Мытник мутовчатый
Zh-tw: 馬先蒿

Synonyms

• Pediculariopsis verticillata ((L.) Á.Löve & D.Löve)
• Pedicularis verticillata var. typica (H.L.Li)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 23, 2017 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Maria Cremone (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2011 by André ĹABETAA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2018 by Robert Petermann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2017 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2013 by Marcel Ambühl (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 8, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2020 by Sandra Pierre-Tardieu (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 15, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Bert Geerdes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 24, 2020 by Agnieszka Szymkiewicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by Nadine Castel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2019 by gerrit van Drunen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by Nadine Castel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2016 by Leonte Corina Mihaela (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:186480-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3171697)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pedicularis verticillata L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 2