Pedicularis canadensis aka Canadian Lousewort

Pedicularis canadensis is an herb that lives for many years. Its names include wood betony and common lousewort. It belongs to the broomrape family, Orobanchaceae. Its native range runs from central and eastern Canada to Mexico. It grows in woods, thickets and clearings. It also grows in meadows and prairies. In Missouri, it grows on dry ridges too. The plant is a hemiparasite. This means it draws resources from the roots of nearby plants. It attaches to several kinds of plants, including some grasses. It also makes its own chlorophyll.

Plants grow upright to about 1.5 feet [0.46 metres] tall. Their spread in gardens reaches about 1 foot [0.3 metres]. Most leaves form a rosette, a cluster at the base. A few leaves grow along the flower stems. The leaves have a lance shape and deep cuts. They also have teeth and wavy edges. These traits make the leaves look like fern fronds. Missouri Botanical Garden lists leaf lengths to 0.5 feet [0.15 metres]. NC State reports longer leaves. The stems are green or reddish-brown. They have hairs but no scent. The leaves are deciduous, so they fall off.

Flowers crowd into short spikes at the stem tips. Leafy bracts sit beneath the blooms. Each flower forms a tube with two lips. It also has a curved hood. Flowers reach about three-quarters of an inch in length. They range from pale yellow to purple-red. Some blooms have both colors. The lowest flowers open first. Those farther up open next. Bloom records span March through June. Missouri records give April–May as the bloom time. Bumblebees carry pollen between the flowers. The fruits have angles and hairs on their surface.

Grow wood betony in full sun or partial shade. It needs soil that drains well, with a moderate amount of moisture. NC State lists acid soils, including loam and sand. Plants can cope with some drought once they take root. Sources place it in USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Missouri Botanical Garden says it is easy to grow. It also reports little need for care. It lists no serious pest or disease issues. Plants may spread by seed and form groups called colonies. Their showy flowers suit native plant gardens and open woods. Chicago Botanic Garden also lists uses in beds and borders.

Plants For A Future lists cooked leaves as food. NC State records Native American use of the plant as food. Both sources record past use as medicine, including root infusions. These records do not show that such treatments are safe. Plants For A Future warns that the plant may poison sheep. The recorded use of cooked leaves does not remove that warning.