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Common Name: Common Lousewort

General Information

Pedicularis canadensis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.40 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

The plant is said to be poisonous to sheep[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to northern Mexico and east to Florida.

Habitat

Dry woods, thickets and clearings[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A semi-parasitic plant, growing on grass roots. Rather difficult to establish in cultivation, it is best grown in conditions that approximate to its native habitat[]. It requires a moist peaty soil and the presence of host grasses[]. The plant is said to parasitize at least 80 different species in 35 different genera[]. Requires a partially shaded to sunny site in a well-drained gritty but moist soil[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[, , , ].

Medicinal

The roots are blood tonic, cardiac and stomachic[]. A tea is used in the treatment of stomach aches, ulcers, diarrhoea, anaemia and heart troubles[, ]. A poultice of the root is applied to swellings, sore muscles and tumours[, ].
The finely grated roots were secretly added to food as an alleged aphrodisiac[].
An infusion of the leaves has been used to procure an abortion[]. An infusion of the fresh or dried leaves has been used to treat a sore throat[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in pots of turf collected from the proximity of wild colonies or sow directly onto the sites where the plants are to remain[].
Division of established plants might be possible in the spring. Establish the divisions near the parent plants[]