Pedicularis canadensis
characteristics
A semi-parasitic perennial receiving some of it's nourishment from the roots of nearby plants. Hairy stems and deeply lobed, fern-like leaves. Dense clusters of flowers grow above small leaf-like bracts. Flowers are pale yellow, tubular with a two-lipped corolla.
400,000 seeds/pound; starts from seed, bare root.
| T | SSN | H | W | sun | soil | H2O | fire | N2 | pH | summer | fall | flower (seed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | CW | 0.4 | 0.2 | S/PS | F-M | DM-M | •• | - | 4.0-7.0 | green | gray | yellow |
habitat
Meadows, open woodlands, roadsides, clearings.
uses
Used medicinally by North American aboriginals for a wide variety of purposes:
Leaves and stems were cooked as a pot herb.
An infusion was made from the roots and used for heart troubles, ulcers and diarrhoea.
Grated roots were added to food as an aphrodisiac.
An infusion of fresh or dried leaves was used to treat a sore throat, cough, tonsillitis, and bronchitis.
Yet another infusion was used to treat headaches, bladder and kidney pain.
Comments