# King Charles' Sceptre / Moor-king (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum)

**Swedish: Kung Karls spira | English: King Charles' Sceptre | Family: Orobanchaceae**

The Karl's scepter (*Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum*), Swedish **Kung Karls spira**, is one of the most impressive plant species in Scandinavia.

The famous botanist Olof Rudbeck named this bog plant, which is up to 80 cm high, in honor of the Swedish King Charles XII. The large, helmet-shaped yellow flowers have a reddish-brown lip.

## FAQs

- **Where does the name Kung Karls spira come from?**: It was named in honor of the Swedish King Charles XII. chosen because the tightly upright inflorescence is reminiscent of a royal scepter.
- **Where does Charlemagne's scepter grow?**: In undisturbed, lime-rich fens, wet meadows and springy floodplains in Lapland.
- **Is the plant protected?**: Yes! The Charlemagne Scepter is a rare, protected moor species and must never be picked.
- **When is flowering time?**: July to August.
- **Does the plant feed parasitically?**: Yes, as a semi-parasite, it taps into neighboring sedges and grasses with root sucking organs.
- **What height does the scepter reach?**: An impressive 40 to 80 cm.


## Weitere Informationen

- Botanical illustration: King Charles' Sceptre (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum), Swedish 'Kung Karls spira'.
- Broomwort family (Orobanchaceae)
- Nature, Taiga & Waters of Västerbotten
- Native to Northern Sweden
- The royal magnificent plant of northern Swedish moors with proud yellow flower candles up to 80 cm high.
- Strictly protected Nordic moor jewel