Towering Lousewort

Stem erect, no basal leaves. Leaves alternate, widely oval blade 1–6 in., finely divided to center, double-toothed, fern-like. Inflorescence is a 2–7 in. long, densely hairy spike. Bracts sharply pointed, nearly as long as or longer than flowers. Flowers greenish yellow tinted purple or red (especially in northern Washington), larger upper lobe more or less straight, hooded, beakless or with short straight beak at tip. Grows in damp forests, meadows, at mid and high elevations. The tallest Pedicularis in the Northwest.