Pedicularis bracteosa also known as bracted lousewort is a flowering deciduous perennial plant with alternating cauline leaves that are linear/oblong to lanceolate, approximately 1 to 7 cm long. It has fibrous roots and grows to approximately 1 meter high. Its flowers form in densely clustered spike raceme, and range in color from yellow to bronze to red to purple. Its distribution is found in western North America including New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, mountainous parts of Washington and California, and in British Columbia.
Historically, the leaves have been used as an alternative treatment for skeletal muscle relaxation.
Taxonomy Pedicularis bracteosa was scientifically described and named in 1838 by George Bentham. The species is classified in the genus Pedicularis as part of the family Orobanchaceae. It has eight accepted varieties according to Plants of the World Online.
Pedicularis bracteosa var. atrosanguinea – British Columbia and Washington Pedicularis bracteosa var. bracteosa – Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, and Montana Pedicularis bracteosa var. canbyi – Idaho and Montana Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida – Washington, Oregon, and California Pedicularis bracteosa var. latifolia – British Columbia, Idaho, and Washtington Pedicularis bracteosa var. pachyrhiza – Eastern Washington and Oregon Pedicularis bracteosa var. paysoniana – The Rocky Mountain states from Montana to New Mexico Pedicularis bracteosa var. siifolia – Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana
All the varieties except for bracteosa were formerly described as species and it has thirteen synonyms in total.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Synonym of: Notes Pedicularis atrosanguinea 1934 species var. atrosanguinea ≡ hom. Pedicularis bracteosa var. montanensis 1910 variety var. bracteosa = het. Pedicularis bracteosa subsp. paysoniana 1983 subspecies var. paysoniana ≡ hom. Pedicularis canbyi 1886 species var. canbyi ≡ hom. Pedicularis flavida 1934 species var. flavida ≡ hom. Pedicularis latifolia 1934 species var. latifolia ≡ hom. Pedicularis montanensis 1897 species var. bracteosa = het. Pedicularis pachyrhiza 1934 species var. pachyrhiza ≡ hom. Pedicularis paddoensis 1934 species var. latifolia = het. Pedicularis paysoniana 1934 species var. paysoniana ≡ hom. Pedicularis recutita 1813 species var. bracteosa = het., nom. illeg. Pedicularis siifolia 1907 species var. siifolia ≡ hom. Pedicularis thompsonii 1934 species var. latifolia = het. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
Names The species name bracteosa is Botanical Latin for having bracts. It is similarly known by the common names bracted lousewort, as well as towering lousewort, tall lousewort, or fernleaf for its size and appearance.
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