Plants 6–20 cm. Leaves: basal 2–20, blade lanceolate to oblanceolate, 10–30 x 2–5 mm, 1- or 2-pinnatifid, margins of adjacent lobes nonoverlapping, serrate, surfaces glabrous; cauline 2–20, blade lanceolate to oblanceolate, 10–40 x 2–5 mm, 1- or 2-pinnatifid, margins of adjacent lobes nonoverlapping, serrate, surfaces glabrous or scattered woolly. Racemes simple, 1–4, exceeding basal leaves, each 12–100-flowered; bracts subulate, 10–40 x 2–5 mm, undivided or 1-pinnatifid, proximal margins entire, distal serrate, proximal surfaces densely woolly, distal glabrous or slightly to densely woolly. Pedicels 1–2 mm. Flowers: calyx 5–6 mm, densely woolly, lobes 5, triangular, 1–2 mm, apex entire, long-ciliate; corolla 14–22 mm, tube pink or reddish purple, 10–15 mm; galea concolored, pink to reddish purple, 4–7 mm, beakless, margins entire medially and distally, apex arching over abaxial lip; abaxial lip pink or reddish purple, 4–7 mm. 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering May–Aug.
Habitat: Grassy alpine and arctic tundras, fellfields, rocky slopes.
Elevation: 20–2100 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Greenland, Alta., B.C., N.W.T., Nunavut, Que., Yukon, Alaska, Mont., n Asia.

Discussion

Although Pedicularis lanata has priority, P. kanei (1856) is a synonym that is used commonly for this species. In fact, E. Hultén (1968) in his list of synonyms of P. kanei annotated P. lanata as of American authors. In the same treatment, Hultén listed P. kanei subsp. adamsii, but his distribution map did not show it occurring in North America. H. J. Scoggan (1978–1979) listed P. lanata forma alba Cody based on its white flowers.

The densely woolly inflorescence and bright yellow taproot of Pedicularis lanata are diagnostic. Pedicularis hirsuta, also with a densely woolly inflorescence and similar corolla color, can be confused with P. lanata; however, the galea margins of P. hirsuta are minutely toothed, and the taproots are pale.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.