Photographs: Ballingeary, Co. Cork

Lousewort (western sub-species) Pedicularis sylvatica subsp. hibernica Lus an ghiolla Family: Scrophulariaceae Flowering time: April-July. Perennial. Native. 2-lipped pink/reddish flowers, the upper lip blunt and slightly curved. The calyx and flower stalks are hairy. Many-stems grow from the base, the pinnate leaves alternate or opposite. Semi-parasitic. Height 10-20cm Often the most frequent of the two sub-species on damp moorland in the south and west of Ireland Similar: Pedicularis sylvatica subsp. sylvatica has hair-less stems and calyx

Lousewort, Pedicularis sylvatica subsp. hibernica, Lus an ghiolla