• Iñupiaq name: Itqiļiaġruk or Itqiļiaġruaq or Qutliiraq
• Family: Scrophulariaceae
• Scientific name: Pedicularis lanata, also Pedicularis kanei
• Distinguishing characteristics: Leaves are reddish brown to green with jagged edges, looking almost fern-like. The flowers begin as a tiny, fuzzy pom-pom, but later mature to a tall stalk with clustered pink flowers. The “fuzz” covering this plant helps to keep it warm!
• Similar species: While the flowers of woolly lousewort look similar to those of yellow lousewort, woolly lousewort produces bright pink flowers in a cluster very low to the ground. 
• Habitat: Wet to dry tundra, prefers stony or rocky areas. 
• Best time to harvest: Fall
• Uses: All parts of this plant are edible. Leaves and shoots can be fermented in water or preserved in seal oil, and roots are roasted. Some foragers say it tastes like carrot!

Photos courtesy of the Grand Valley State University Arctic Ecology Program