Lousewort, probably Pedicularis sylvatica, below the Steall Waterfall in Glen Nevis. Pedicularis are often found in acidic, nutrient-poor areas. They’re able to do this because they’re hemiparasitic and “steal” nutrients from the roots of neighboring plants, while also doing some photosynthesis of their own.Â
The common name “lousewort” is derived from a 17th century belief that eating Pedicularis would cause livestock to get lice. This wasn’t entirely silly - as Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon point out in their field guide to Pacific Northwest plants, there probably was a correlation between livestock being grazed on nutrient-poor areas where Pedicularis live and the livestock being weak and consequently infested with parasites.

















