Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida
Yellowish lousewort, Yellowish Lousewort
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida (Yellowish lousewort) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by distinctive yellow color and large size.
Yellowish lousewort is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in moist upper montane conifer forest at elevations of 1,200 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow flowers 15 to 24 millimeters long with a distinctively hooded upper lip and a lower lip that contrasts beautifully. Growing with stems 30 to 110 centimeters tall that are sparsely hairy toward the tip, it has an upright and graceful structure. Its compound leaves feature intricate segmentation, with basal leaves 8 to 25 centimeters long and 5 to 21 leaflet segments that are singly to doubly toothed. The fruit is 9 to 10 millimeters long with a netted seed surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinctive yellow color and large size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist upper montane conifer forest
Elevation: 1200-2400 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Castilleja: Leaves deeply dissected and fern-like with 7+ lobes, not simple or few-lobed.; vs Phacelia: Flowers have closed hood concealing stamens, not open bell/funnel shape.; vs Anigozanthos: Upper lip forms distinctive elephant-head hood, leaves deeply divided fern-like.; vs Melaleuca: Herbaceous perennial with hooded flowers, not woody shrub with brush-like blooms.; vs Achillea: Flowers individually hooded and two-lipped, not tiny in flat-topped clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida native to California?
Yes. Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida bloom?
Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida grow?
Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, at elevations of 1200-2400 m.
What plant family does Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida belong to?
Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Pedicularis.
Is Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida rare or endangered?
Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.