About Pedicularis densiflora Benth.
Pedicularis densiflora Benth. is a perennial herb. It has stout stems that are generally green, and sometimes take on a reddish or magenta color. Its leaves have a fern-like shape. It produces long spikes of flowers that range in color from deep red to bright pink, with toothed petals. Like all other louseworts, Pedicularis densiflora is a root parasitic plant, meaning it attaches to the roots of other plants to get nutrients and water. This species is a facultative parasite, also called a hemiparasite: it can survive without attaching to a host plant, but it will parasitize a host if the opportunity is available. It often parasitizes members of the heath plant family, such as manzanita.
