Home > Herbs > Pedicularis

lousewort

Pedicularis · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (14 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Lousewort, scientifically known as Pedicularis, is a diverse genus of flowering plants within the Orobanchaceae family. Renowned for their unique, hooded blossoms, these hemi-parasitic perennials often thrive in alpine and meadow ecosystems. Historically valued in traditional medicine, they remain significant subjects in botanical studies and ecological research worldwide.

Family
Orobanchaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Lousewort · Wood-Betony · 1 more
Scientific synonyms
Pediculariopsis · Scepanium · 4 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Pedicularis

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Pediculariopsis

German:

  • Läusekräuter
  • Läusekraut
  • Läusekraut
  • Läusekräuter

French:

  • Pédicularis
  • Pédiculaire
  • pédiculaire
  • Pédiculaires

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Orobanchaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic designation is defined by the genus Pedicularis.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Lamiales
Family Orobanchaceae
Genus Pedicularis

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the northern regions of Europe. Its presence is documented across various territories, including Denmark and Finland. It can also be found in the North Atlantic areas of Iceland and the Faroe Islands, known as Føroyaar. Additionally, the species extends its reach to the islands of Great Britain. Together, these locations define the primary northern distribution of the Pedicularis genus.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Føroyar
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Iceland
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Svalbard
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Chemicals

Pedicularis has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cistanoside D, Echinacoside, Pedicularioside A, Acteoside, Isoacteoside.

Chemicals reported in Pedicularis
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Cistanoside D 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Echinacoside 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Pedicularioside A 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Acteoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Isoacteoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Permethylacteoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Verbascoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
isoverbascoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Cistanoside D

  1. Chemistry and physics of lipids
  2. Planta medica

Echinacoside

  1. Chemistry and physics of lipids
  2. Planta medica

Pedicularioside A

  1. Chemistry and physics of lipids
  2. Planta medica

Acteoside

  1. Planta medica

Isoacteoside

  1. Planta medica

Permethylacteoside

  1. Planta medica

Verbascoside

  1. Chemistry and physics of lipids

isoverbascoside

  1. Chemistry and physics of lipids

Conditions

Pedicularis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fevers, rheumatism, sterility.

Conditions investigated for Pedicularis
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Fevers 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Rheumatism 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Sterility 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Fevers

  1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Rheumatism

  1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Sterility

  1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie