Seasonal Wild Flowers

Lousewort

Pedicularis sylvatica

Orobanchaceae

April to July

It is found throughout the country apart from parts of the

East Midlands and East Anglia.

See the BSBI distribution map for Lousewort

It grows on damp grassy heaths, moorlands, bogs and

marshes.

Lousewort is a native, root-hemiparasitic (nutrients

taken from other plants), low growing (8-25cm high),

spreading, perennial herb.

The flower is up to 2.5cm and pink (sometimes white).

The upper lip has a small tooth near the tip and the

lower lip has 3 round lobes.

There are 4 stamens.

The calyx is bladder-like.

The leaves have small, rectangular lobes.

Lousewort - Powerstock Common, Dorset

Stamens, protruding stigma

Stamens and stigma

Calyx

White form, West Dorset

Leaves