Pedicularis canadensis

May be propagated by seed but is a parasitic species and needs a host plant. The seeds require cold/moist stratification at 33-38 degrees F for 30 days (Shirley 1994, Steffen 1997). To plant seed, make a hole or slit in soil at base of grass plant and insert seed at a depth of 3/4" (Shirley 1994). The tiny, brown, elliptical seeds are 1/16" long and develop in pods at the top of the stems. To harvest, clip tops of stem and place into paper bags upside down. Shake bags then sieve to clean seed. There are 1,248,000 seed/lb and the recommended planting rate is 2.5 lbs/acre (USDA 1948). The seeds are short-lived and should not be stored longer than 30 days.

A parasite on the roots of low growing grasses and other plants. It grows in marshes, fens, prairie swales and seeps, and wet open woods. Prefers wet or thin soils with a pH of 5-7.5 in mesic to mesic dry areas. Its common name comes from the belief that it repels lice.

Open moist woodlands, forest margins, upland woods, and prairies.