# Warrior's Plume (*Pedicularis densiflora*) Warrior's Plume is a beautiful flower that grows in the mountains. Its unique shape and bright colors make it stand out in nature, like a little warrior in a field of green! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Warrior's Plume](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pedicularis_densiflora_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pedicularis_densiflora_2.jpg) ## Appearance The Warrior's Plume has deep crimson to reddish-purple flowers tightly clustered into a dense, fuzzy spike, resembling a striking feathered helmet. Its stems and fern-like leaves often share a reddish hue, making it vividly stand out on green hillsides. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Orobanchaceae - **Genus:** Pedicularis ## Interesting facts - Certain bumblebees use "buzz pollination" to shake pollen from its unique flowers! - It often glows a deep crimson, making it stand out like a bright jewel on hillsides! - Its roots can secretly attach to other plants to steal food and water! - The name Pedicularis comes from a belief it caused lice in farm animals centuries ago! ## Special abilities - **Nutrient Siphon:** Warrior's Plume can connect to other plants' roots, siphoning extra water and nutrients to help it thrive in tough spots. - **Early Bloom Advantage:** This plant blooms in winter or early spring, giving it an early advantage to attract pollinators when few other flowers are available. - **Pollinator Magnet:** Its tall, dense spikes of vibrant red flowers create an irresistible visual beacon, guiding specific bumblebees to its nectar. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-50 cm - **Spread:** 10-20 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Winter to late Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Soft Brome (*Bromus hordeaceus*) — Its roots tap into this grass for nutrients. - **Eaten by:** Red Fescue (*Festuca rubra*) — Parasitizes the roots of this common fescue. - **Pollinates:** California Bumblebee (*Bombus californicus*) — This bumblebee is a primary visitor for pollination. - **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced Bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Buzz-pollinates its flowers to release pollen. ## 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. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [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. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Warrior's Plume? 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 Warrior's Plume? 10-50 cm ### How wide does Warrior's Plume spread? 10-20 cm ### How big are the flowers on Warrior's Plume? 1-2 cm ### When does Warrior's Plume bloom? Winter to late Spring ### Is Warrior's Plume edible? No ### Is Warrior's Plume toxic? Mild ### What is Warrior's Plume's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [El Sereno Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-sereno-open-space) — California, US · Park - [King Range](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/king-range) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Putah Creek State Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/putah-creek-state-wildlife-area) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Jack London State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jack-london-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Robert Louis Stevenson State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/robert-louis-stevenson-state-park) — California, US · State Park [View all places to see Warrior's Plume](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/warriors-plume) ## 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: [Warrior's Plume: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/warriors-plume)