Pedicularis hirsuta aka Hairy Lousewort

Pedicularis hirsuta is known as hairy lousewort. This small perennial belongs to the family Orobanchaceae. A perennial lives for more than two years. Kew lists its native range as the Subarctic. It grows in subarctic or subalpine climates. The RHS says it is not native to Britain or Ireland. In the wild, it grows on damp, stony tundra. It also grows on shores and river banks. These records place it in cold regions with moist ground.

Plants For A Future gives its height as about 0.33 feet [0.1 metres]. It is thus a low plant, not a tall border perennial. The sources give no spread or full account of its shape. They give no clear details of its stems or leaves. Kew calls it a hemiparasitic perennial. This means it draws some resources from other plants. The evidence does not name a host for this species.

Plants For A Future says its flowers have both male and female organs. The sources give no flower colour or bloom season. They give no details of its fruit or seeds. They do not say how this species gets its pollen transferred. These gaps limit what we can say about its flower display. They also leave its garden season unclear.

Plants For A Future says sandy and loamy soils suit it. The soil should stay moist but drain well. It accepts neutral and alkaline soil, even very alkaline soil. The same source says it likes lime but dislikes acid soil. It can grow in light shade or full sun. These needs fit the damp, stony places where it grows. The source lists garden beds as a place to grow it. Yet it notes how little is known about growing this species. It suggests that outdoor conditions in Britain may suit it. This is an estimate, not a tested hardiness rating.

Plants For A Future lists cooked roots and cooked leaves as edible. It gives food use a low score: one out of five. It lists no known uses as medicine or for other purposes. The source reports no known hazards. This does not mean the plant is safe for people or pets. It does not flag the plant as weedy. The evidence gives no account of pests or diseases for this species. Nor does it record a wider role in landscape planting.