Lousewort, Turtle Head Pedicularis Canadensis
The flowers of this Lousewort are yellowish and occur in crowded heads on low spreading stems, 4-6 in. high. They occur in mountain meadows at 6000-9000 ft. and bloom in spring and early summer. The name Lousewort is derived from the Latin one which was bestowed upon it, because once upon a time farmers believed that when their flocks fed upon the flowers the sheep were liable to be attacked by certain tiny lice or “pediculi.” The name Turtle Head is from a fancied resemblance of the flower to the protruded head of a turtle. The plants are supposed to be poisonous to sheep.