Pedicularis sp.
Lousewort, Lousewort
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Perennial · Natve
Pedicularis sp. (Lousewort) is a non-native California perennial in the Orobanchaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Pedicularis sp. is not native to California (recorded as natve).
What plant family does Pedicularis sp. belong to?
Pedicularis sp. is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Pedicularis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pedicularis attollens — Little elephant's head
- Pedicularis bracteosa var. flavida — Yellowish lousewort
- Pedicularis centranthera — Great basin lousewort
- Pedicularis contorta — Curved-beak lousewort
- Pedicularis crenulata — Scalloped-leaved lousewort
- Pedicularis densiflora — Warrior's plume
- Phelipanche ramosa
- Phelipanche sp. — Broomrape
- Triphysaria eriantha — Butter-and-eggs
- Triphysaria eriantha subsp. eriantha
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.