Elephanthead Lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica)
What a name! Not only is it descriptive (look at those little elephant trunks!), it’s well-suited: a flashy name for a flashy flower. I was thrilled when I came across this patch growing in a seep alongside the Chain Lakes Loop near Mt. Baker!
In fact, seeps are a common place to find this plant; they prefer wetlands, wet meadows, or stream banks. In my region they are found in the Cascades and Olympics, at subalpine and alpine elevations.
Though our melt season was late this year, and likely to be short, it’s well-worth finding time for an alpine hike to get a glimpse of these flowers. When I went, there were still substantial patches of snow and ice on the trail when this patch was in full bloom–so be cautious!
If you miss their blooming period, you’ll still be able to appreciate the flower structure–they retain their elephant trunk as they dry. And, if you’re up for an early summer melt-season hike, you may find the plant as it first emerges with its fern-like divided and toothed leaves before the flowering spike appears. A subtle beginning for a not-so-subtle flower.
References
Mark Turner and Phyllis Gustafson, Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest (Portland: Timber Press, 2006), 374.
