Pedicularis procera
Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 2, 34: 251. 1862.
Plants 75–150 cm. Leaves: basal 2–4, blade lanceolate, 150–250 x 80–120 mm, 2-pinnatifid, margins of adjacent lobes nonoverlapping, entire or serrate, surfaces glabrous or hirsute; cauline 4–10, blade triangular to lanceolate, 60–300 x 5–90 mm, undivided or 1-pinnatifid or 2-pinnatifid, margins of adjacent lobes nonoverlapping, 2-serrate, surfaces glabrous. Racemes simple, sometimes paniculate, 1–3, exceeding basal leaves, each 10–50-flowered; bracts linear or narrowly lanceolate to subulate, 15–80 x 3–8 mm, undivided, proximal margins entire, distal entire or serrate, surfaces hispid to tomentose. Pedicels 0–1 mm. Flowers: calyx 10–15 mm, hispid to hirsute, lobes 5, triangular, 4–7 mm, apex entire, ciliate; corolla 22–30 mm, tube light yellow, greenish yellow, or light pink, 10–15 mm; galea light yellow, greenish yellow, or light pink, with purple to red veins, 9–15 mm, beakless, margins entire medially, 1-toothed distally, apex arching over abaxial lip; abaxial lip light yellow or light pink, with purple veins, 9–15 mm. 2n = 32.
Phenology: Flowering Jul–Aug.
Habitat: Moist alpine meadows, aspen groves.
Elevation: 2400–4000 m.
Distribution
Ariz., Colo., N.Mex., S.Dak., Utah, Wyo.
Discussion
Although Pedicularis grayi A. Nelson appears in older floras, the name is superfluous and illegitimate. Pedicularis procera Adams ex Steven 1822 is invalid.
Pedicularis procera is the tallest species of Pedicularis in North America. Because the leaves closely resemble those of P. bracteosa, smaller plants can be easily mistaken for this species.
Selected References
None.