Luxurious Louseworts! Locate Elephant's-Head Lousewort
This month for our July Alpine EcoQuest we are focusing on locating Elephant's-Head Lousewort (𝘗𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢).
The common name of this unique showy plant is very fitting because of its pink and purple colored flowers that are shaped like little elephant heads spiraling around its stem. Finding this plant is truely an unforgettable and magical experience!
This plant originally got the name Lousewort (𝘗𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴) from Linnaeus because of the superstitious belief that livestock grazing on the plant would get lice (even though there was little evidence to support this).
Elephant’s-Head Lousewort can be found in moist meadows, marshes, along streams and creeks, and in the alpine tundra.
Alpine EcoQuests are botanical scavenger hunts that are open to everyone. Each month of the short alpine growing season, community scientists focus on finding a specific plant for the Colorado Alpine EcoFlora Project.
The Colorado Alpine EcoFlora Project invites botany-enthusiasts of all levels to observe, study and conserve native Rocky Mountain alpine plants using iNaturalist, an easy-to-use mobile app. All you need is a sense of curiosity and to start exploring!
As you enjoy hiking into the alpine this summer, please adhere to Leave No Trace guidelines for recreating responsibly in the alpine. This environment is adapted to the toughest conditions but is still vulnerable to human disturbance. Stay on hard surfaces and trails; pack out all your waste; clean up after your pets; and always be prepared.
Happy botanizing!
