Pedicularis palustris

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the territories of Denmark and Finland. The species also extends its range to the Faroe Islands. Additionally, its presence is documented throughout Great Britain. Finally, the plant is known to inhabit the landscape of Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pedicularis palustris is characterized by its specific preference for wet meadow habitats, where it thrives in moisture-rich environments. Its distribution is highly localized regarding altitude, maintaining a consistent elevational profile with a minimum, mean, and maximum range all centered at approximately 370 m AMSL. This specialized niche suggests the species is adapted to the specific hydrological and soil conditions found within these low-lying, saturated meadow ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

370 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows: wet

Life history

The life history of Pedicularis palustris is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons within its habitat. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its seasonal cycles. While it primarily functions through its hemicryptophytic structure to ensure long-term survival, its developmental strategies within its ecological niche reflect a robust perennial existence.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Pedicularis palustris is characterized by a non-woody growth form, specifically classified as a herb and a forb. This self-supporting plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.24 m. It functions as an obligatory parasite and is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.24 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pedicularis palustris is characterized by distinct morphological parameters and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. The plant's foliar structure exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, resulting in a mean leaf length of 2 cm. The width of these leaves is relatively narrow, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 0.7 cm, which contributes to an average leaf size of approximately 3.9183 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 238.22 cm²/g, indicating its resource allocation strategy regarding leaf thickness and photosynthetic efficiency. Unlike some members of its family that may inhabit nutrient-poor environments through specialized means, this species is classified as non-carnivorous, relying on standard autotrophic processes for its metabolic requirements.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length mean:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

3.9183 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

238.22 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pedicularis palustris is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that relies on biotic pollination and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in July, during which the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome specifically involving bees and other insects to ensure fertilization. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating insect intervention for successful reproduction. Following fertilization, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that is dehiscent in nature. These fruits are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.85 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm. The seeds produced within these capsules are extremely fine, possessing a mean mass of 0.0011155 g, with values recorded between a minimum of 0.00064 g and a maximum of 0.00073 g. Seed dispersal is achieved through a combination of hydrochorous (water-based) and anemochorous (wind-based) syndromes, allowing the offspring to spread across its habitat. Furthermore, asexual reproduction is absent, meaning the species relies entirely on these sexual processes for propagation.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.85 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00073 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0011155 g

Seed mass min:

0.00064 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pedicularis palustris has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aucubin.

Aucubin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Pedicularis palustris has 19 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidote (Amanitin), Antiedemic, Antiinflammatory, Antileukemic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antidote (Amanitin)

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiprolactin

1. Dr. Duke

Antistaphylococcic

1. Dr. Duke

Candidicide

1. Dr. Duke

Cathartic

1. Dr. Duke