Warrior's Plume (Pedicularis densiflora) Login         


        Description
  • Height to 2 ft.
  • EW Bloom Jan - Jul
  • This plant resembles paintbrush, but has fern-like leaves.
  • It has a dense (hence densiflora) spike of purple-red flowers at the top of the stem.
  • A hemi-parasite, it likes to attach to the roots of other plants, but it can use its green leaves to make food if necessary.
  • Found on shady slopes in dry areas.
  • CA native
  • AKA Indian Warrior
  • Broomrape Family (Orobanchaceae)



This plant is an early springtime bloomer, finishing flowering before the trees above it grow their new leaves.



Leaves are fern-like and alternate. Yellow flower centers on a red background act as targets for pollinators.



1) Large upper lip. 2) Small white-tipped under lip. 3) Red leaf-like bracts.

   Photo Gallery (76 ) click any picture to enlarge
    

This plant blooms in early spring, taking advantage of sun that will be blocked by tree leaves later in the season. It is a parasite, gathering nut ...

Striking red-purple flower clusters sit above reddish-green fern-like leaves.

The stem is stout and hairy. Alternate fern-like leaves branch off the lower stem, with a dense cluster of flowers at the top.

1 - Flowers have 2 fused upper petals that form a long tube. Inside the yellow tube is [[nectar]] - a target for pollinators. 2 - Flowers also hav ...

[[Anthers]] at the end of a long [[filament]] spread pollen on approaching pollinators. These anther sacs have opened.