Woolly lousewort
Pedicularis lanata

Family: Orobanchaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It has a thick yellow taproot. The stem has grey white woolly hairs. It grows 15 cm high. The leaves are mostly at the base. They are dark green and 6 cm long. The flowers are pink to red. They are on a woolly spike at the top of the plant. The seed capsules are brown.

Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in the tundra on the high mountains in Alaska. It grows in dry rocky places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, North America, Russia, Siberia, USA

How it is used for food

The root is eaten raw and boiled. It can also be roasted. It is bitter. The young flower tops are fermented. They are then eaten with oil and sugar as a dessert. The flower stems are boiled and eaten as a potherb.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bumblebee plant, Kakykak, Kooklingwuk, Lousewort, Nahzakmeetak, Ugjungnaq, Ulevleruyiit, Woolly fernwed

Synonyms

Pedicularis kanei Durand sensu Hulten;