Pedicularis condensata Bieb. Kırk Bitotu (in Turkish)

Pedicularis condensata Bieb. - Kırk Bitotu (in Turkish)

Scientific Description:

Perennial. Stems 20−70 cm, erect, sturdy, unbranched, eglandular pubescent, rarely glabrous, with thick roots. Leaves oblong to oblong-lanceolate, bipinnatisect, 4−12 × 1.7–6 cm, serrate-crenate; basal long-petiolate (petiole 3−12 cm), cauline few, alternate, sessile. Inflorescence a many-flowered, dense, oblong, elongated lanate spike, to 20(−30) cm in fruit. Bracts pinnatifid or dentate, 10–20 mm. Pedicels erect-spreading, 1 mm. Calyx campanulate, 8−11 mm, ± lanate or with short hairs; tube 7–9 mm; lobes short, 1−3 mm, triangular, subequal. Corolla cream to yellow, 20−27 mm; tube 14−19 mm, curved; upper lip broad, obtuse, ± straight. Anthers mucronate; filaments all pubescent. Capsule obovate, obtuse, 7–9 mm, glabrous.

Flowering time: June−August.

Habitat: Abies L., Pinus L., Picea L. woodland, amongst Rhododendron L., meadows, pastures, rocky slopes, 1430−3200 m.

Public Description:

Pedicularis condensata, known as “kırk bitotu” in Turkish, is native to Türkiye, the Caucasus and North Iran. It is a perennial herb with creamy or yellow flowers, and grows up to 70 cm in length. It blooms between June and August and is found in fir, pine, spruce woodlands, amongst rhodendron, meadows, pastures and rocky slopes. This plant shows antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016) http://www.tubives.com/index.php?sayfa=1&tax_id=7323 /,Accessed date: 22.09.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2018) http://dergipark.gov.tr/marupj/issue/28681/311812 , Accessed date: 26.03.2018.

Özbek M U (2012) Pedicularis L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 657-658.