# Bracted Lousewort (*Pedicularis bracteosa*) Bracted Lousewort is a pretty flower that grows in the mountains. Its unique shape and bright colors make it stand out in nature, and it loves to grow in rocky places. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Bracted Lousewort](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pedicularis_bracteosa_-_Paradise%252C_Mount_Rainier%252C_August_2014_-_02.jpg&width=800) Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pedicularis_bracteosa_-_Paradise%252C_Mount_Rainier%252C_August_2014_-_02.jpg) ## Appearance The Bracted Lousewort has a sturdy stem topped with dense clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers, each with a distinctive curved upper lip. Prominent green, leaf-like structures called bracts nestle beneath each flower, making it visually distinct from other louseworts. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Orobanchaceae - **Genus:** Pedicularis ## Interesting facts - Its genus name, 'Pedicularis', comes from a Latin word for 'louse', because people once thought it caused lice in livestock! - Some people say its flowers look like tiny, curious elephant heads peeking out from the stem! - The Bracted Lousewort is a hemi-parasite, meaning it's both a plant that makes its own food and also 'borrows' from neighbors! - You can often find this plant thriving in damp, rocky meadows high up in mountain ranges! ## Special abilities - **Root Thief:** Bracted Lousewort can tap into the roots of nearby plants to steal water and nutrients, helping it thrive where others struggle. - **Bee Beacon:** Its uniquely shaped flowers act like a beacon for long-tongued bees, guiding them directly to its nectar and pollen. - **Bract Protector:** Its prominent bracts can shield developing flowers and seeds from harsh weather or grazing animals. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-80 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to late summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Two-Form Bumble Bee (*Bombus bifarius*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Parasitizes:** [Alpine Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpine-bluegrass) (*Poa alpina*) — Taps into roots for water and nutrients. - **Eaten by:** [Elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus canadensis*) — Graze on its foliage. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers. They are important for nature! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bracted Lousewort? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Bracted Lousewort? 20-80 cm ### How big are the flowers on Bracted Lousewort? 1-2 cm ### When does Bracted Lousewort bloom? Late spring to late summer ### Is Bracted Lousewort edible? No ### Is Bracted Lousewort toxic? None ### What is Bracted Lousewort's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is Bracted Lousewort pollinated? Insect ## Where to spot - [Independence](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/independence) — Colorado, US · Neighborhood - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Browne Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/browne-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Bracted Lousewort](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bracted-lousewort) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Bracted Lousewort: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bracted-lousewort)