Plant of the Month Pages

Indian Warrior
- Pedicularis densiflora

Common Name(s):Indian Warrior
Scientific Name:Pedicularis densiflora
Family:Orobanchaceae (Broomrape)
Plant Type:Perennial
Size:up to 24 inches
Habitat:Chaparral
Blooms:February to April
Fire Response:Germinate from Seed

Indian Warrior is a low-growing plant with dense, deep-red or fuschia flower stalks. It normally appears in colonies and blooms from February through April - rain is a the big variable here causing earlier or later blooms.

The leaves are up to six inches long, mostly basal and fern shaped. When rainfall has been abundant, the plant is especially prolific. It is sometimes parasitic, usually attracted to the roots of manzanita if available.

The genus name Pedicularis means "louse" - it was once thought that the plant spread lice to cattle. The species name densiflora means (not surprisingly) "densely flowered". It is sometimes grouped into the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) instead of the Figwort family. Medicinal uses of the plant have included relaxing tired muscles and addressing nerve pain. It also has a psychoactive use - the buds and flowers are sometimes smoked and used as a mild sedative.

Contributed by Liz Baumann

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Featured Plants in the Orobanchaceae (Broomrape) Family:


Indian Warrior - Originally featured: January 2011
Last modified: May 17 2024 08:10:17.
Number of Images: 11
Image Size Total: 1,935,231

References:

Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains, by Milt McAuley
Flowering Plants: The Santa Monica Mountains, Coastal and Chaparral Regions of Southern California, by Nancy Dale
Chumash Ethnobotany: Plant Knowledge Among the Chumash People, by Jan Timbrook
Leaf Shapes Primer - Botanical Terms for Leaves: - Link

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