Odontites vernus explained

Odontites vernus, the red bartsia, is a wild flower from the family Orobanchaceae native to Europe and Asia and occurring as an alien in North America.^[1] The red bartsia is a common plant in low-fertility soils, where it lives partially as a parasite on the roots of grasses.^[2] The red bartsia has pinkish and red flowers from June to September. They prefer dry conditions and full sun light exposure and are pollinated by bees and wasps.^[2]

Over the last 70 years, the red bartsia has disappeared from many woodland locations in the English county of Dorset.^[3]

In Manitoba, Canada, the plant known as red bartsia is considered a weed.^[4]

Etymology

Odontites is derived from Greek and means 'tooth-related', a name which is in reference to Pliny the Elder using it to treat toothaches. Vernus means 'of the spring' (vernal).^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus). Nearctica. 2003. 23 July 2009.
2. Web site: Red Bartsia . Natural England. 23 July 2009.
3. Web site: English woodlands are losing their character. Planet Earth online. 22 July 2009. 23 July 2009.
4. Web site: How To Control Red Bartsia . Manitoba . manitoba.ca . Red bartsia (Odontites serotina) is a weed of hayland, pastures and roadsides which appeared in the Interlake region of Manitoba in the 1950s... The weed apparently was introduced into the area in crates which were shipped from West Germany into the Canadian Armed Forces Base at Gimli. The infestation started on the base and spread into surrounding farmland by way of mowed hay from red bartsia infested areas along the edges of runways.. December 6, 2015.
5. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 278, 400