Elephant's-Head lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica) is in the broomrape family family (Orobanchaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,167 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Elephant's-Head lousewort: observations by month (U.S.)
About Elephant's-Head lousewort
Pedicularis groenlandica is a showy flowering plant in the broomrape family which is known by the common names elephant's head and elephanthead lousewort. This erect plant can grow to a height of 80 centimetres (31 in). Its sharply-toothed fernlike leaves are located low on the stout stem. The stem is topped with a large inflorescence of bright pink to purple or white flowers. Each flower has a long, pointed beak which curves upward, superficially resembling the trunk...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Elephant's-Head lousewort by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 509 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Utah | 150 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Washington | 147 | July | Jul–Aug |
| California | 103 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Oregon | 77 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Wyoming | 74 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Montana | 35 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Idaho | 31 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 28 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New Mexico | 12 | July | Jul–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (broomrape family)
Warrior's Plume
Canadian lousewort
Purple Owl's-Clover
Mediterranean lineseed
American cancer-root
Felt Paintbrush
Texas Paintbrush
One-Flowered Cancer-Root
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Elephant's-Head lousewort?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from July to August.
Where is Elephant's-Head lousewort most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Utah, Washington.