Elephant’s Head Pedicularis groenlandica
Mid-montane to
alpine areas throughout western
Middle to high elevations (1).
Local occurrence
In
Plant strategy
type/successional stage
Pedicularis groenlandica requires a late successional
sedge-rush community, with associate species for companion species.
Carex nigricans,
Dodocatheon jeffreyi, Achillea millefolium, Polygonum bistortoides, Aconitum columbianum, Castilleja spp., Deschampsia cespitosa, Fragaria virginiana, Ligusticum grayi, and Pedicularis
bracteosa (2).
May be collected
as
Seed
(1).
Collect seeds in late fall, when capsules turn brown and begin to
dehisce. Seeds are brown at
maturity (1).
Seed germination
120
days cold stratification. Gibrellic acid
treatment is recommended for the Pedicularis
genus (1).
Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long
shelf-life)
Seed longevity
is unknown (1).
Clean seeds should
be stored in a cool and well-ventilated area.
Seeds.
Soil or medium
requirements
Growing media used is 6:1:1 milled spaghnum peat, perlite, and vermiculite with Osmocote
controlled release fertilizer (13N:13P2O5:13K2O; 8 to 9 month release rate at
21C) and Micromax fertilizer (12%S, 0.1%B, 0.5%Cu,
12%Fe, 2.5%Mn, 0.05%Mo, 1%Zn) at the rate of 1 gram of Osmocote
and 0.20 gram of Micromax per 172 ml conetainer (1).”
Installation form
Pedicularis groenlandica is a hemiparasite. In order for seedlings to develop a healthy
root system and grow vigorously, a host plant should be introduced into
containers.
Care requirements
after installed
Container plants
should be watered regularly throughout the summer, gradually decreasing
irrigation throughout September and October, giving plants one thorough soaking
prior to winter dormancy (1).
2 years (1).
1. Evans, Jeff; Luna,
2. Hovanick, Catherine.
Some Aspects of the Natural History and Ecology of
three Pedicularis Species common in the
Northwest. Master
of Science Thesis,
3. Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. Plants of the