Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Pedicularis densiflora, known commonly as Warrior's Plume, is a plant of the lousewort genus in the broomrape family. It is a perennial herb with stout, green or sometimes reddish or magenta stems and fern-shaped leaves, and long spikes of deep red to bright pink flowers with toothed petals. Like others of its genus, it is a root parasite, attaching to the roots of other plants to obtain nutrients and water. This species is a facultative parasite, or hemiparasite, in that it can live without attaching to another plant but will parasitize if presented with the opportunity. It often parasitizes plants of the heath family, such as manzanita. Warrior's Plume is native to California and Oregon in western North America and is found in forests and woodlands at low elevation.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Red, Pink

Flowering season

Spring, Winter

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low, Low

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Adaptable.

Site type

Dry places

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Variable Checkerspot

Euphydryas chalcedona

Edith's Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha

Geranium Plume Moth

Amblyptilia pica

Anicia Checkerspot

Euphydryas anicia