Common Lousewort

Pedicularis sylvatica

Common Lousewort is a low-growing perennial. It features 4 to 6 flowers accompanied by small green or reddish pinnate leaves. This plant derives some of its nutrients from the roots of neighbouring plants. Flowers bloom from April to July. It was once prevalent in the heathland at Chigwell Row, The heathland is distinctive in the forest due to its soil, which is formed from glacial sand, contrasting with the clay soil prevalent elsewhere. The glacial sand supports a variety of heathland flora, including petty whin, orange hawkweed, heather, lousewort, and dwarf gorse. However, many of these plants have seen a decline (some now possibly extinct) over the past 20 years due to insufficient maintenance, resulting in bramble being allowed to encroach on the area. This photograph was taken in Chigwell Row Woods, located on the opposite side of Romford Road where the soil was also formed from glacial sand.