Pedicularis groenlandica

Elephantheads

Elephantheads
aka Bull Elephant Head. Wow, pink elephants in Greenland! It’s a relief to know that the specimens orginally named in 1795 were actually from Labrador. Once aware of what’s atop these 6″ – 24″ (15 – 60 cm) stems they will be a constant delight. The flowers are truly shaped like an elephant with the upper petal, bulbous on top, like the forehead, tapering into the curving trunk while the three lower petals form the ears and lower lip. Underneath the trunk is a bright yellow anther. Common in wet meadows between 4,000′ to 7,000′ elevation.

Family:

Orobanchaceae - BROOM-RAPE FAMILY

Genus:

Pedicularis from Latin pediculus 'a louse' related to lice infestation

Species:

groenlandica means 'of Greenland'
Photo location: From several locaitons including Berkeley Park, meadow along Grand Park trail south of Lake Eleanor and meadow along Sunrise Rim Trail east of Shadow Lake.