Pedicularis comosa Tufted Lousewort
This plant is described as requiring stony habitats in the mountains of southern and central Europe but I found this one on the soggy banks of a stream in eastern Turkey i.e. wrong place and wrong habitat. Southern France, the Pyrenees, Spain and Italy are usually where you'd expect to find it so this was quite way out of the usual places. Pedicularis species are common in Europe though and the odd record from Georgia and Romania also exists.
The genus name Pedicularis and the common name Lousewort refers to the belief that cattle and sheep which ate this plant were liable to be infested with lice.
|
| Pedicularis comosa Tufted Lousewort |
Steppe country near Lake Van, eastern Turkey 26th May 2019
Added on 18th January 2021