Pedicularis bracteosa
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 WashingtonPedicularis bracteosa var. bracteosa – Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, and MontanaPedicularis bracteosa var. canbyi – Idaho and MontanaPedicularis bracteosa var. flavida – Washington, Oregon, and CaliforniaPedicularis bracteosa var. latifolia – British Columbia, Idaho, and WashtingtonPedicularis bracteosa var. pachyrhiza – Eastern Washington and OregonPedicularis bracteosa var. paysoniana – The Rocky Mountain states from Montana to New MexicoPedicularis bracteosa var. siifolia – Eastern Washington, Idaho, and MontanaAll the varieties except for bracteosa were formerly described as species and it has thirteen synonyms in total.