#pedicularis

[wenbochenphoto]

Pedicularis rex subsp. lipskyana. The tallest Pedicularis sp. I have ever seen, can be 90cm. Mt. Balang Sichuan. 紫花大王马先蒿

[cedar-glade]

Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony,

often associated with prairie remnants and savanna, often with little bluestem , grama grasses, and the big bluestem group, in more open habitats. 

Here in RRG we see it 

On less ericaceous, richer mesic hillsides deeply sloped and rocky enough to still experience part shade to full sun light specifications similar to open woods or savanna despite the fire suppression long since supplied to Kentucky( along with every state) with fragmentation and the brainwashing words of smokey the bear, These hillsides with more alkaline lime parental material to acidic sand there is less specialized ephemeral forbes and with that more common mid spring forbe diversity total since site requirements are so broad. Here is a classic locally abundant species that generally is found more inline with specific aster population diversity, such as Prenanthes spp., Krigia biflora, and Packera obovata. The common grasses and sedges on these more open hillside sites depending on light exposure level are Koeleria macrantha, Carex pensylvanica,  Aristida purpurea, and Carex communis, all of which are associated heavily with each other due to basal foliage, more light requirements, and lower growth form (except for Koeleria macrantha). While competition and cohabitation of niche is an indirect association, this species typically requires direct association for long term establishment. As a hemiparasitic plant, this species does photosynthesize but is known to establish in higher quantities when the grasses and sedges above are more present as it’s primary host species are these grass and sedge species in these open forest habitats. While every once in a while finding it’s haustoria in the vigorous asteraceae (honestly most things in direct rootzone, including trees) and potentially reducing their vigor keeping competition functions minimalized it’s primary hosts are more than likely chemically sniffed out from the root exudence made/excreted as the roots of these sedges and grasses elongate, instead of what is just an interaction due to root zones interacting. Haustoria are specialized organs found in many parasitic plants that enable a plant to embed themselves forming a vascular union where they can force/ share nutrients at will. It’s very similar to ectomycorrhizal embeddance between cells where the haustoria are found in intracellular gaps between cells prior to tapping vascular regions in full. So this would be visually much different from endo-arbuscular mycorrhizal connections which are cell invaginators and embedders. I will reiterate this, when I say look, I am truly speaking of visually looks similar, interaction wise, they are still very different mechanisms. As for spreading, while seeds are the primary establishment factor, if hosts are present, large clumps of this population grow asexually via rhizomes in a relatively unidirectional pattern. 

If you are attempting to reconstruct/make/restore a prairie, this is the easiest hemiparasite to get established, it’s also great for permaculture spots as while reducing vigor in plants may seem bad at first, It will increase diversity and light spacing meaning more healthier communities. It’s utilized often for sore throat issues and stomach issues via as dried out leaves for tea so it serves multiple purposes in reducing competitive spacing, increasing light penetration for seeds and germinating plants, and for attracting beneficial insects, a valuable transition season nectar source, and for medicinal purposes. 

[cedar-glade]

Pedicularis canadensis

a hemi-parasitic fen and wetland obligate 

Woodman fen, Dayton Ohio

[cedar-glade]

Some locally abundant but uncommon plants 

Hemi parasitic, Pedicularis lanceolata (Marsh Betony)

and a diminutive fen orchid from the old Spiranthes cernua complex,  Spiranthes incurva, sphynx ladies tress

Ill give you a high five if you can id that solitary bee from the bee butt. 

[thebashfulbotanist]

Pedicularis canadensis is an interesting-looking hemiparasitic plant in the family Orobanchanceae, which is known for its parasites. Although it produces some chlorophyll, it also parasitizes the roots of other plant species, much like its cousin, Castilleja. The flowers form an whorl pattern that looks very cool from the top! Although not commonly used today, historically P. canadensis was used as a food plant and a medicine for a number of purposes. Usually I hear it just called “pedicularis”, but it’s sometimes called Canadian lousewort or wood betony, though that name is also used for unrelated species of Betonica.

[dendroica]

Elephanthead (Pedicularis groenlandica) at Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (via USFWS Mountain-Prairie)

Also called little red elephant and elephant flower. You don't have to strain your imagination to see the strong resemblance of an elephant's head in each flower, with big floppy ears and a long trunk. Photo: Tom Koerner

[cedar-glade]

Pedicularis lanceolata

a mid-late season fen,bog ---marsh classic is this parasitic plant, the marsh betony, its much more stout then woodbetony and its flowers are cream colored instead of the classic red or yellow. The leaves themselves are much more vigorously etched(deeply dentate but not dissected) and seem smaller in size than wood betony as well.

[hisj]

_Pedicularis japonica_ #Pedicularis #rootparasite #broomrape #Orobanchaceae #ヨツバシオガマ #平標山 (平標山) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzNDYC0gmNq/?igshid=1c0l2x0zrpxt8