Flower profile
Elephant's-Head lousewort
Pedicularis groenlandica
Elephant's-Head lousewort is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 5 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in June–August.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
Quick look
Pedicularis groenlandica is a showy flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae commonly known as elephant's head, little pink elephant, elephantella, or similar common names inspired by the resemblance of the flower to the head of an elephant. It is also less commonly known as butterfly tongue for the long beak on the flower.
- It belongs to the Orobanchaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 12 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana and Idaho. NatureServe
- In Colorado, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–August. iNaturalist
- In Wyoming, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–August. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 2.5 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 4,021 research-grade sightings of it in Colorado, ranking #27 among the 110 flowers on our Colorado list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,066 research-grade sightings of it in Wyoming, ranking #14 among the 107 flowers on our Wyoming list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 698 research-grade sightings of it in Utah, ranking #85 among the 109 flowers on our Utah list. iNaturalist
Elephant's-Head lousewort gift ideas
Handmade elephant's-head lousewort gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Elephant's-Head lousewort art print
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Elephant's-Head lousewort greeting card
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Elephant's-Head lousewort mug
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Elephant's-Head lousewort earrings
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Elephant's-Head lousewort embroidery pattern
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Elephant's-Head lousewort sticker
When does it bloom?
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Colorado
- No list Colorado has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Colorado ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Colorado.
- Wyoming
- No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Wyoming.
- Utah
- No list Utah has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Utah ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Utah.
- Montana
- No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Montana.
- Idaho
- No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AK (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records elephant's-Head lousewort in 12 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Colorado counties with USDA records: Alamosa, Boulder, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jackson, La Plata, Lake, Larimer, Mesa, Mineral, Montezuma, Ouray, Park, Pitkin, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, Summit.
Wyoming counties with USDA records: Albany, Big Horn, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Hot Springs, Johnson, Lincoln, Park, Sheridan, Sublette, Teton, Uinta, Washakie.
Utah counties with USDA records: Beaver, Cache, Daggett, Duchesne, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Rich, Salt Lake, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch.
More Colorado flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile PEGR2.
- iNaturalist, Pedicularis groenlandica: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Pedicularis groenlandica (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Colorado: Colorado noxious weed lists A, B and C (8 CCR 1206-2, eff. May 15, 2025).
- Wyoming: Wyoming state designated noxious weeds (W.S. 11-5-102(a)(xi)), as listed by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council.
- Utah: Utah noxious weed list (Utah Admin. Code R68-9-3).
- Montana: Montana noxious weed list (Admin. R. Mont. 4.5.206–4.5.210).
- Idaho: Idaho noxious weeds (IDAPA 02.06.09, Section 220).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Pedicularis groenlandica (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: Bob Walker via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.