The Leafy Lousewort 



{PEDICULARIS FOLIOSJ) 



The Louseworts as a whole have been exceedingly successful 

 in the Alps. No less than fourteen different species are to 

 be found, and some of them are exceedingly common. In 

 spite of their unpleasant name they are for the most part 

 really beautiful plants, and as a group they are interesting 

 in several ways. In the first place, they are all in some degree 

 parasites on other plants. Branches arise from the roots 

 which attach themselves to the roots of neighbouring plants 

 and absorb from them water or salts or even organic nourish- 

 ment. The Leafy Lousewort is not a great offender in this 

 respect, but other species are capable of completely destroying 

 many of the surrounding plants. The method of pollination 

 of the Lousewort flowers is also somewhat remarkable. The 

 flowers are only visited by humble bees, for no other insect 

 appears to be strong enough to force an entrance into the 

 flower. As may be made out from the photograph, the 

 flower consists of two lips. In the upper is a vertical slit 

 through which the stigma alone projects, but immediately 

 behind the slit are the four stamens. The lower lip forms 

 practically a landing stage for insect visitors. When the 

 humble-bee alights on the flower his head is sure to come 

 in contact with the projecting stigma and some of the pollen 

 which he unconsciously carries with him will be removed. 



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