Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Pedicularis sylvatica L.

lousewort (Orobanchaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Despite its name, Pedicularis sylvatica is almost always found on moors and heaths, and not in woodland.

Holyhead Island (VC52: Anglesey); 2007-05-29

 lousewort / Pedicularis sylvatica: Despite its name, _Pedicularis sylvatica_ is almost always found on moors and heaths, and not in woodland.

Two subspecies of Pedicularis sylvatica occur in the British Isles; the more widespread is P. sylvatica, which has hairless pedicels and the calyx with hairs only on the angles and around the throat, or not at all.

Holyhead Island (VC52: Anglesey); 2007-05-29

 lousewort / Pedicularis sylvatica: Two subspecies of _Pedicularis sylvatica_ occur in the British Isles; the more widespread is _P. sylvatica_, which has hairless pedicels and the calyx with hairs only on the angles and around the throat, or not at all.

P. sylvatica subsp. hibernica has hairy pedicels and calyces; it occurs in Ireland, South Wales and parts of western Scotland.

Cefn Cribwr (VC41: Glamorgan); 2016-05-08

 lousewort / Pedicularis sylvatica: _P. sylvatica_ subsp. _hibernica_ has hairy pedicels and calyces; it occurs in Ireland, South Wales and parts of western Scotland.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne