Branched Broomrape

(Orobanche ramosa)

Branched Broomrape (Orobanche ramosa L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: A plant parasitic on the roots of herbaceous plants, lacking chlorophyll. Plant branched. Flowers intense violet with a white throat. Petal lobs sometimes broad and ragged. Flowers arranged along the sides of the branches. Calyx and stem light brown. Leaves reduced to a series of sharp scales. Plant 3 to 15 inches in height.

Distribution: A rare species found in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Illinois in the east, Texas, and California.

Habitat: Branched Broomrape is found in open fields, lawns, and roadsides along with its herbaceous plant hosts.

Flowering period: July to September.

Similar Species: Branched Broomrape is most likely to be confused with Beechdrops. Beechdrops is parasitic on the roots of beech trees and limited to forests with beech trees. Beechdrops is a taller (6 to 24 inches in height) more spindly species. The flowers are smaller and a less intense violet, with small, pointed petal lobes.