Pedicularis contorta Benth. var. contorta
coil-beaked lousewort (coiled lousewort)
Orobanchaceae (Broom-rape family)
(Previously in Scrophulariaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Virginia Skilton     (Photo ID #1204)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Pedicularis contorta var. contorta
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a thick stem-base, smooth throughout; stems several, clustered, erect, 15-60 cm tall, unbranched.
Leaves:
Basal leaves long-stalked, lance-oblong in outline, 5-18 cm long, deeply pinnately cleft, the segments linear and toothed; stem leaves alternate, several, reduced and becoming unstalked upward.
Flowers:
Inflorescence an elongate, bracted, terminal spike of numerous flowers, the spike smooth, 5-15 (20) cm long, the bracts narrow, divided, shorter than the flowers; corollas yellowish-white or white, often with pink or purplish markings, 15-20 mm long including the beak, 2-lipped, the upper lip short (4-5 mm), strongly arched, hooded, prolonged into a downcurved beak 6-8 mm long, the lower lip 5-7 mm long, 3-lobed, the lateral lobes often enfolding the beak of the upper lip; calyces 4-5 mm long, 5-toothed, the teeth lanceolate, 1-3 mm long, the upper tooth shortest, the tube somewhat papery between the 5 dark veins; stamens 4.
Fruits:
Capsules, straight, 9-10 mm long; seeds several, about 2 mm long.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Pedicularis contorta var. contorta

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
2030 1990 2070
Slope Gradient (%)
17 10 25

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

210 207 215
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
2 2 3
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
C
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
2
Modal BEC Zone Class
ESSF

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

ESSF(2)

Habitat and Range

Dry rocky slopes, meadows and open forests in the montane to alpine zones; infrequent in SE BC; E to SW AB and S to WY and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia