Overview
Pedicularis groenlandica is a herbaceous perennial in the broomrape family, forming clumps 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall from a basal rosette of fernlike leaves. The leaves are pinnately divided into many narrow toothed segments, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, mostly near the base. Dense spikes of pink to reddish-purple flowers rise above the foliage in summer; each flower, about 0.5 inch (12 mm) long, has an upcurved beak and lateral lobes that together resemble an elephant's head with a raised trunk. The plant is hemiparasitic, drawing part of its water and nutrients from the roots of neighboring plants while still making its own food. It grows in wet mountain meadows, stream banks, fens, and seeps across western and northern North America, usually in cool, saturated ground. The fruit is a small capsule. Its dependence on constant moisture and on host plants makes it hard to transplant or grow outside its native wetland habitat.
Native Range
Pedicularis groenlandica is native to western and northern North America, from Alaska and Greenland south through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada to California and New Mexico. It grows in wet subalpine and montane meadows, fens, and stream banks.Suggested Uses
Used in bog gardens, wet meadow restorations, and naturalized streamside plantings within its native range. The summer flowers draw bumblebees, which are its main pollinators. It suits permanently wet, cool sites rather than conventional borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open in summer, generally June to August depending on elevation and snowmelt. The pink to purple spikes last about 3-4 weeks. Higher-elevation populations bloom later than those lower down.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to reddish-purpleFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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