Practical
Plants

Pedicularis sceptrum carolinum

Lousewort

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young plant - raw or cooked[2].

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.

Carminative, resolvent[2].

Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Resolvent

Environment

Range
Europe.
Habitat
Fens, wet woods and river banks[4]. Swampy places[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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[3]. Division of established plants might be possible in the spring. Establish the divisions near the parent plants[3]

Cultivation

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

A semi-parasitic plant, growing on grass roots. This is a rather difficult species to establish in cultivation, it is best grown in conditions that approximate to its native habitat[3]. 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[3].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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