Eric Engelman, age 13, of Jansen, Neb., for his question:

WHAT IS A LOUSEWORT?

A lousewort is an herb and is part of the figwort family. Included in the large group are about 3,000 different species of herbs, shrubs and small trees.

All members of the figwort family have bell shaped flowers which are divided into two lips. Some of the varieties are used in medicines.

Members of the figwort family do especially well in temperate regions. Included are a number of wild flowers and weeds such as mullein, butter and eggs and speedwell. The cultivated types of the family include foxglove, snapdragon and calceolaria.

Some of the figworts live partially as parasites on other plants. The drug digitalis, used for some heart ailments, comes from a type of foxglove.