Pedicularis Species, Indian Warrior, Warrior's Plume

Once the flower pods open discontinue watering, then water only when the plants show stress. The plant likes the West Coast (CA,OR, & WA...Read More) they can usually be found from the Shasta's west in Cali, in OR & WA the Shasta's become the Cascade mountains, from the westerly foot hills west is where it usually found.
At one time some of the First Nations tribes used this for things like coughs, and muscle cramps, as well as over working of the body in general.
Beautiful shades or orange and reds, for the color of the flowers. This plant like to form a symbiotic relationship with moderate to high acid plants, shrubs and trees. It isn't just the Oaks, it is all moderate to high acid plants that it forms the symbiotic relationship with.
It forms this relationship by searching for the root ball or root mass, then it entwines itself roots to roots, feeding off the roots to supply the plants needs.
Some cultivators will harvest early so as not to have any problems with seeds.

*** People who make Teas, or salves, or tinctures, or even smoke the stems, branches, but in particular the flowers should use caution-the substances found in all parts of this plant are addictive, and very habit forming, with continued use****
Some will use this plant as a mood elevator, or for a relaxant, it is virtually impossible to overdose with plant, but in time it does become addictive with continued use.

I have had a problem with Thieves stealing my flowers of this plant as a method of escaping reality, for the intoxicating effects the plants provide. I grow the plant for the beautiful blooms and the unusual shape the leaves produce.

**Seeds for this flower are not easy to come by.**

Pedicularis grows wild on my Zone 7 property. I have also seen it growing at higher elevations than mine. It has an unusual, bright red f...Read Morelower that blooms a short time in the spring. It is one of the few red-blooming wild plants in my area. The fernlike foliage also has some interest.

In my area, this plant is most often found in shady areas under oaks, although I have found it in poor soil on well-drained and shady cut road banks. I have dug up a single plant (in early Spring) to move; the soil was very deep, moist, and full of oak leaf mold. It was in partial shade. I must assume that the soil is quite acidic in this location. The plant I dug turned out to be 3 separate plants. Each plant is doing well in pots in partial shade, moderate water. I plan to monitor the wild Pedicularis on my property; if they begin to go into a summer dormancy, I will cease watering my potted plants, and then transplant the dried plants into a selected spot in the Fall.

Botanical sources list Indian Warrior as a hemiparasite. It facultatively can attach its root system to the roots of another plant (such as a shrub or an oak). It can survive without this attachment, but it is said to generally prefer the strategy. Could be a good strategy in areas like mine that suffer hot, dry summers.

I'll keep you posted on my success with this plant.