I want to include wood betony (Pedicularis canadensis) in my prairie restoration. I find the species very interesting, and it is native to my area. I have heard differing opinions on this species ranging from; it is a very aggresive native and should be spot-sowed in only a few areas, to; add as much as you can afford, it takes a long time to show up and you can not get to much of it. Does anybody have any experience or advice with this species?
I have only seen wood betony in prairies and oak savana's, although the link I have provided below says it also grows in "forests". The plant is interesting because it is partially parasitic. See link below.
It grows around here in middle TN, too, in light to medium shade in mesic to moist areas, usually in association with one or more dicanthelium and/or panicum species. Pedicularis isn't aggressive in my experience. Our form is the maroon flowered type, very showy and attractive.
I grow both the red and yellow forms in my yard, and I haven't seen any evidence that this plant is aggressive in nature. It hasn't changed much in 3 years.
The natural populations in my area are pretty stable, too. From dry sand with full sun to partially shaded woodland, the populations haven't changed much in 5 years.
It's an early blooming plant with interesting flowers and foliage. I think it would be a good addition to your prairie restoration plant list.
Wood betony is not very aggressive. it blooms fairly early in the year and then pretty much disappears after flowering. Plant it, you will like it.. I have only found it in one area near me so far, it is a remnant of a prairie with many interesting species. Ours is pale yellow here. I gathered seed last year and will try some in containers and some in a new restoration planting this year.
I was wondering if anybody has experience starting wood betony in containers? Since it is partially parasitic does it need to be grown together with warm season grasses, or can it be started by itself?
Hemiparasites like Lousewort (Pedicularis) and Indian paintbrush (Castilleja) can colonize a little in areas where favored host plants are numerous, but there is always a rock/paper/scissors effect that really wouldn't let them become dominant in any environment (they overcompete with hosts, they put themselves out of a living. On the other hand, two roots are better than one if you're competing for prairie rootspace; benefit there is to both species..)
Why not grow it with the host? Might start it on it's own to reduce competition some, but I'd want to get a host involved as the root structure started to mature. There is some inherent weakness that caused this plant to go parasitic in the first place, so why engage that, especially if you are doing a native planting?
I am convinced that it would be a good species for my planting, thanks everyone for the advice. Below is advice I about wood betony I obtained from a local prairie expert:
Yes, wood betony can spread quickly by seed and it attacks a wide variety of species (certainly aggressive traits), but individuals are also relatively short-lived and not all seedings take. About 20-25% of the plantings I have done have not resulted in establishment. Its populations tend to come and go periodically over time. I consider wood betony to be one of a handful of "equalizer" species that help keep otherwise domineering species in check via parasitism or chemical warfare. If the goal is to restore diverse prairie similar in structure and diversity to the original, then I consider wood betony to be a critical keystone species that must be included. When it is present, it seems to allow for a wider variety of species to be present per square meter and to flourish, than would be the case if it was not present. As for seeding rate, a small amount may be all that is needed to get good populations established, but I would not be too concerned about seeding at too high a rate. Limitations may be in costs and seed availability. If the goal is to have lots of tall grasses, then you may wish to go light on the wood betony. Because it is semi-parasitic, it may be best to seed wood betony in the 2nd or 3rd year of a planting, rather than the first year. I hope this helps.
vbain
Oak_RidgeOriginal Author
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