ELEPHANT’S-HEAD LOUSEWORT

Class: Pedicularis groenlandica

Family: FIGWORT FAMILY

Sub Family: Scrophulariaceae

Year: Perennial

Other Names: Little Red Elephant

Colour: Purplish-red

Height: 20-46 cm (8-18")

Each Flower: Shape of an elephant's trunk, 1.3 cm (1/2") long excluding trunk; upper hood extends into long trunk-like projection at least 1.3 cm (1/2") long, curled up at end; 3 broad, short petals, 2 wings and a lip, calyx with 5 pointed, purple sepals 7 mm (1/4") long; 4 stamens enclosed in base of trunk with long style extending through trunk and just visible at end; deeply cut green bract at base of each flower

Leaves: Mainly basal, 5-25 cm (2-10") long with many fine, serrated leaflets, smaller leaves scattered up stem

Stems: Green, succulent, purplish towards top

Blooming Period: July - August

Habitat: Open, marshy, boggy places at high elevations, from just below to just above timberline

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