Sickletop Lousewort
ExplorePlants
Sickletop Lousewort
Pedicularis racemosa
Sickletop Lousewort is a unique flower that grows in the mountains. Its pretty blooms can be pink or purple, and they have a special shape that looks like a little sickle!
Habitat: Mountain regions
Appearance
The Sickletop Lousewort has reddish-purple stems with deeply cut, fern-like leaves. Its distinctive tubular flowers are curved like a sickle, ranging from white to pinkish-purple, arranged in a loose cluster. This unique shape helps distinguish it from other alpine plants.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyOrobanchaceaeGenusPedicularis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its unique flower shape perfectly fits the heads of its favorite pollinators, like a key in a lock!
The name 'Lousewort' came from an old belief that grazing animals eating it would get lice. (It's not true!)
This plant uses a hidden superpower: it can secretly connect to other plants underground to share resources.
You can often spot these tough flowers growing high up on mountain slopes, even among rocks and evergreen trees!
Special abilities
Ability
Root Robber
Sickletop Lousewort can tap into the roots of nearby plants to steal water and nutrients, helping it thrive in tough mountain soil.
Ability
High-Altitude Survivor
The Sickletop Lousewort has adaptations that help it grow in cold, rocky mountain environments where many other plants struggle.
Ability
Bumblebee Beacon
Sickletop Lousewort has perfectly curved flowers that guide specific bumblebees, ensuring efficient pollination and successful reproduction.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-60 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to early fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Mixed Bumblebee
Bombus mixtus
Transfers pollen between flowers
parasitizes
Subalpine Fir
Abies lasiocarpa
Steals nutrients from its roots
eaten by
Elk
Cervus canadensis
Browses occasionally on leaves
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Mountain
This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers, as they help nature and the animals around them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Sickletop Lousewort?
15-60 cm
How wide does Sickletop Lousewort spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Sickletop Lousewort?
1-2 cm
When does Sickletop Lousewort bloom?
Summer to early fall
Is Sickletop Lousewort edible?
No
Is Sickletop Lousewort toxic?
Mild
What is Sickletop Lousewort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Sickletop Lousewort pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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