Practical
Plants

Pedicularis resupinata

Lousewort

a perennial member of the Pedicularis genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked[2][4].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antirheumatic, diuretic, febrifuge[3][5]. The plant is used in the treatment of fevers, leucorrhoea, rheumatism, sterility and urinary difficulties[7]. A decoction of the plant is used to wash foul ulcers[7].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge

Environment

Range
Europe to E. Asia.
Habitat
Meadows and hills in mountains all over Japan[9]. Open woods in E. Europe[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in pots of turf collected from the proximity of wild colonies or sow directly onto the sites where the plants are to remain[6]. Division of established plants might be possible in the spring. Establish the divisions near the parent plants[6]

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. Apparently the plant smells like horse excrement[7]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. A semi-parasitic plant, growing on grass roots. Rather difficult to establish in cultivation, it is best grown in conditions that approximate to its native habitat[6]. It requires a moist peaty soil and the presence of host grasses[1]. Requires a partially shaded to sunny site in a well-drained gritty but moist soil[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

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  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  9. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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