Canadian Lousewort

Canadian Lousewort

Pedicularis canadensis

Canadian Lousewort, also known as Wood Betony, is a cool little plant found in many woodlands in Indiana.  It usually grows in groups of plants and can be overlooked if you're not looking down.

Many common plant names end with the suffix -wort.  According to people that know, that suffix is a very old Old English term that was used for plants that had medicinal uses.  The first part of the word denoted the complaint for which the plant was used.

Louse is one lice, so presumably Lousewort was used to get rid of lice.  I wonder if that works.

According to other people that know, the Menominee Native Americans from the Wisconsin area thought the plant was a charm that would help when seducing the opposite sex.  I guess woman have always been charmed by flowers.



Canadian Lousewort (Wood Betony) comes in various colors from yellow to maroon

Top down view

The foliage is quite distinctive if you're looking for it