Pedicularis palustris: Difference between revisions

{{Italic title}}{{Speciesbox

| name = ''Marsh lousewort''

'''''Pedicularis palustris''''', commonly known as '''marsh lousewort''' or '''red rattle''',<ref>{{cite book |title=Field Botanist's Book |date=1990 |publisher=[[Wild Flower Society (UK)]] |edition=13}}</ref> is a plant species in the genusfamily ''[[PedicularisOrobanchaceae]]''.<ref name=Farmer>{{cite web |url=http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/scrophulariaceae/pedicularis-palustris.htm |title=Marsh Lousewort: ''Pedicularis palustris'' |author=Farmer, Carl |work=West Highland Flora |accessdate=27 January 2020}}</ref> It is native to central and northern Europe and Asia where it grows in wetlands and boggy habitats. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has assessed its conservation status as being of [[Least-concern species|least concern]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

The nominate [[subspecies]] ''P.Pedicularis palustris'' subsp. ''palustris'', which occurs in the west of the range, is a straggly [[Biennialbiennial plant|biennial]] herb with a much-branched, usually erect stem up to {{convert|60|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tall. The leaves are alternate or opposite, with a short stalk. The leaf blades are triangular-[[lanceolate]] to linear, with pinnate lobes and toothed margins. The [[inflorescence]] is a [[raceme]] with leaf-like bracts. Each bilaterally symmetrical flower has a short stalk and a large, rounded, toothed [[Sepal|calyx]]. The flower is reddish-purple and up to {{convert|2.5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, with five [[petal]]s fused into a tube, the upper lip being slightly shorter than the lower lip. The fruit is a [[Capsule (fruit)|capsule]]. The other subspecies, ''P.Pedicularis palustris'' subsp. ''karoi'', which occurs in the east of the range, is an [[annual plant]] and has smaller flowers.<ref name=FoC>{{cite web |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200021061 |title=''Pedicularis palustris'' Linnaeus, 1753 |work=Flora of China |accessdate=27 January 2020}}</ref> This species can be distinguished from [[Pedicularis sylvatica|common lousewort]] (''Pedicularis sylvatica'') by having two calyx lobes rather than four, and four small teeth at the tip of the upper lip rather than two. It is also taller and more erect, and is found in wetter situationslocations.<ref name=Farmer/>

Marsh lousewort is found in central and northern Europe and Asia. In Europe, it occurs in Scandinavia and southwards through most of Europe at altitudes of up to {{convert|1200|m|ft|-3|abbr=on}}.<ref name="iucn>{{IUCN |assessors=Lansdown,status R.V.19 |year=2014November |version=2019.12021" |id=19620542 |title=''Pedicularis palustris'' |downloaded=28 January 2020}}</ref> In Britainthe British Isles, it mostly occurs in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, western England and East Anglia. In Asia, it occurs in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and northern China. Typical habitat is wetlands, swamps, fens, marshes, wet meadows and ditches.<ref name=FoC/>

{{Taxonbar|from=Q159079}}