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Pedicularis canadensis

Canadian lousewort

Orobanchaceae Eastern and central North America

Attracts Pollinators

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Pedicularis canadensis is a low, clump-forming perennial 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall, spreading slowly to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) wide from a short crown. Its leaves are fern-like, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, pinnately divided into toothed lobes, hairy, and often flushed red, forming a basal cluster with a few smaller stem leaves. In spring the stems carry dense, short spikes of tubular two-lipped flowers about 0.8 inch (2 cm) long, in colors ranging from yellow to reddish-maroon, sometimes both on one plant. It is a root hemiparasite, making its own food by photosynthesis while also tapping the roots of nearby grasses, sedges, and woody plants for water and minerals, which makes it difficult to grow without suitable hosts. It occurs in open woodland, prairies, savannas, and meadows across eastern and central North America. The flowers are pollinated mainly by bumblebees. Heavy shade and the absence of host plants both limit its establishment.

Native Range

Pedicularis canadensis is native to eastern and central North America, from Quebec and Manitoba south to Florida and Texas. It grows in open woodland, prairies, oak savannas, and meadows.

Suggested Uses

Used in prairie and savanna restorations, native meadow plantings, and woodland edges among grasses, spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart. Its hemiparasitism on grasses can reduce grass vigor and open space for other wildflowers. It suits naturalistic plantings rather than borders or containers.

How to Identify

Identify it by a basal rosette of fern-like, pinnately lobed, often red-tinged hairy leaves and short, dense spring spikes of tubular two-lipped flowers in yellow to reddish-maroon. The hooded upper lip and lower three-lobed lip are characteristic. The deeply cut fern-like leaves separate it from the swamp lousewort Pedicularis lanceolata, which has less divided leaves and blooms in autumn.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'4"

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, from April to June, on compact spikes that lengthen slightly as they open. Flower color varies from yellow through red to maroon, sometimes within a single colony. Bumblebees are the main pollinators, working the hooded flowers for nectar.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow to reddish-maroon

Foliage Description

green, often red-tinged

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in part shade to part sun in moist but free-draining soil among grasses or other host plants. As a root hemiparasite it establishes most reliably when sown directly with potential hosts, since transplanted plants often fail without a root connection. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and dies back to the crown each winter. Steady spring moisture suits it, and it tolerates summer dryness once dormant. Rich, weed-free beds without host roots rarely support it. No feeding is needed in lean, established plantings.

Pruning

No pruning is needed. Spent flower spikes can be left to set seed for natural spread or removed after flowering. Foliage is left to die back on its own at the end of the season.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown