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Pedicularis canadensis

L.

Early Wood Lousewort

G5Secure Found in 132 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Early Wood Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). Photo by Vanessa Voelker, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Vanessa Voelker, CC BY-NC 4.0
Early Wood Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). Photo by MauraBarry, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
MauraBarry, CC BY-NC 4.0
Early Wood Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). Photo by Ben Goulet-Scott, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Ben Goulet-Scott, CC BY-NC 4.0
Early Wood Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). Photo by Ben Goulet-Scott, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Ben Goulet-Scott, CC BY-NC 4.0
Early Wood Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). Photo by wonderful_world, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
wonderful_world, CC BY-NC 4.0
Early Wood Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). Photo by wonderful_world, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
wonderful_world, CC BY-NC 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.131078
Element CodePDSCR1K050
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderScrophulariales
FamilyOrobanchaceae
GenusPedicularis
Other Common Names
Canadian lousewort (EN) Canadian Lousewort (EN) Pédiculaire du Canada (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-05-20
Change Date1984-06-18
Edition Date2024-05-20
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Pedicularis canadensis is a wide-ranging perennial herb occurring in eastern and central North America from New Brunswick west to Manitoba Canada south to Florida and New Mexico in the United States, and Mexico. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Pedicularis canadensis occurs in eastern and central North America from New Brunswick west to Manitoba Canada south to Florida and New Mexico in the United States, and Mexico (FNA 2019). Range extent was estimated to be over 7.1 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are over 4,500 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, this species is potentially threatened by development, roadside maintenance activities, succession, invasive species, and other threats in some places.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Pedicularis canadensis grows in moist to dry "deciduous forests, forest edges, prairies, alpine wet meadows," streambanks, and prairies (FNA 2019, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest EdgeWoodland - HardwoodGrassland/herbaceousAlpine
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
ManitobaS3Yes
QuebecS3Yes
New BrunswickS1Yes
OntarioS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
South CarolinaS4Yes
New JerseySNRYes
VirginiaS5Yes
IllinoisSNRYes
LouisianaSNRYes
MichiganSNRYes
IndianaSNRYes
ArkansasSNRYes
KansasS3Yes
South DakotaSNRYes
New YorkSNRYes
West VirginiaS5Yes
TexasSNRYes
Rhode IslandS2Yes
WisconsinSNRYes
New HampshireSNRYes
OklahomaSNRYes
FloridaSNRYes
DelawareS2Yes
AlabamaSNRYes
MinnesotaSNRYes
MaineSNRYes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
North CarolinaS5Yes
New MexicoSNRYes
NebraskaS1Yes
MissouriSNRYes
MarylandSNRYes
KentuckyS5Yes
TennesseeSNRYes
GeorgiaSNRYes
OhioSNRYes
IowaS4Yes
VermontS4Yes
ColoradoS4Yes
MassachusettsSNRYes
District of ColumbiaSNRYes
MississippiSNRYes
North DakotaSNRYes
ConnecticutSNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undetermined———

—

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (132)
Alabama (2)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Oakey MountainTalladega National Forest6,129
Arkansas (8)
AreaForestAcres
Clifty CanyonOzark-St. Francis National Forest1,963
Devils CanyonOzark-St. Francis National Forest1,877
Dismal CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest9,160
East ForkOzark-St. Francis National Forest13,037
Gee CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest7,957
Hurricane CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest2,279
Pedestal RocksOzark-St. Francis National Forest21,957
Richland CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest571
Georgia (12)
AreaForestAcres
Boggs CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,073
Cedar MountainChattahoochee National Forest1,083
Helton CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,348
Indian Grave GapChattahoochee National Forest1,020
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Kelly RidgeChattahoochee National Forest8,325
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Patterson GapChattahoochee National Forest1,186
Pink KnobChattahoochee National Forest12,127
Rocky MountainChattahoochee National Forest4,269
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Turner CreekChattahoochee National Forest1,495
Indiana (1)
AreaForestAcres
Mogan RidgeHoosier National Forest8,435
Kentucky (1)
AreaForestAcres
WolfpenDaniel Boone National Forest2,835
Missouri (1)
AreaForestAcres
Spring Creek Rare II Study AreaMark Twain National Forest4,899
New Mexico (14)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Comales CanyonCarson National Forest4,389
GallinasSanta Fe National Forest13,208
Grass MountainSanta Fe National Forest3,254
Holy GhostSanta Fe National Forest2,352
Jacks CreekSanta Fe National Forest740
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
Little TesuqueSanta Fe National Forest815
PecosCarson National Forest13,436
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
Rancho ViejoSanta Fe National Forest3,827
Tesuque CreekSanta Fe National Forest810
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
North Carolina (23)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
Barkers Creek (addition)Nantahala National Forest975
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Big Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest1,155
Boteler PeakNantahala National Forest4,205
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Little Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest640
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wesser BaldNantahala National Forest4,061
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
North Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
DurlerDakota Prairie Grasslands12,464
Pennsylvania (3)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
Clarion RiverAllegheny National Forest3,821
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
Tennessee (12)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
London Bridge BranchCherokee National Forest3,387
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Slide HollowCherokee National Forest4,057
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Sycamore CreekCherokee National Forest6,984
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Vermont (1)
AreaForestAcres
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Virginia (34)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Beartown Addition BJefferson National Forest2,985
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Brush Mountain EastJefferson National Forest4,916
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Lewis Fork AdditionJefferson National Forest749
Little Dry Run AdditionJefferson National Forest2,204
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Little Walker MountainJefferson National Forest9,818
Little Wilson Creek Addition BJefferson National Forest1,725
Mill MountainGeorge Washington National Forest10,840
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
Mountain Lake Addition CJefferson National Forest494
Mt. PleasantGeorge Washington National Forest8,933
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Peters Mountain Addition A (VA)Jefferson National Forest1,268
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Raccoon BranchJefferson National Forest4,388
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Rogers RunJefferson National Forest181
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Three RidgesGeorge Washington National Forest4,745
Three SistersGeorge Washington National Forest8,149
West Virginia (17)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
East Fork Of GreenbrierMonongahela National Forest7,167
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Laurel ForkMonongahela National Forest1,172
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Peters Mountain Addition A (WV)Jefferson National Forest343
Tea Creek MountainMonongahela National Forest8,295
Turkey MountainMonongahela National Forest6,421
Wisconsin (2)
AreaForestAcres
09011 - Flynn Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5,951
09154 - St. Peters DomeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest4,002
References (7)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2019. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 17: Magnoliophyta: Tetrachondraceae to Orobanchaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 737 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
  3. iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  5. NatureServe. 2024. NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
  6. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
  7. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2024. Flora of the southeastern United States. Edition of March 4, 2024. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 2203 pp.