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Orobanche and their Host Plants
Most Orobanche are adapted to few plant species or families on which they are cadging. In each row an Orobanche species is presented with one or two of its hosts.
 
In the first ten rows you can find the Phelipanche which are usually colored blue or violet. Because of their additional narrow lateral bracts (bracteoles on both sides of the wider central bract) they have been separated from the actual Orobanche as an own genus Phelipanche.
 
Phelipanche ramosa is parasite on cultivated plants as Tobacco, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Hemp, and Maize.
Phelipanche ramosa, Hemp Broomrape
Phelipanche ramosa / Hemp Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Nicotiana tabacum, Virginian Tobacco
Nicotiana tabacum / Virginian Tobacco
Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam.
 
 
Cannabis sativa, Hemp
Cannabis sativa / Hemp
Cannabaceae / Hop Fam.
 
 
Phelipanche mutelii, Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Phelipanche mutelii / Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Phelipanche mutelii, Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Phelipanche mutelii / Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Oxalis pes-caprae, Bermuda Buttercup
Oxalis pes-caprae / Bermuda Buttercup
Oxalidaceae / Wood-Sorrel Fam.
 
 
Phelipanche mutelii, Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Phelipanche mutelii / Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Phelipanche mutelii, Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Phelipanche mutelii / Mutel's Hemp Broomrape, Dwarf Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Above: Today botanists are including Phelipanche nana into the species Phelipanche mutelii. In former times both have been treated as separate species. The two photos above left are typical representatives of the delicate variety nana.
 

 

 

 

 
Left: Phelipanche mutelii is a parasite of different Composites and Apiaceae among others, and often of Bermuda Buttercup Oxalis pes-caprae which has been introduced to the Mediterranean from South Africa.
Phelipanche inexspectata, Lettuce Broomrape, Inexpected Hemp Broomrape
Phelipanche inexspectata / Lettuce Broomrape, Inexpected Hemp Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Lactuca serriola, Prickly Lettuce
Lactuca serriola / Prickly Lettuce
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Phelipanche inexspectata has been separated from Phelipanche mutelii in 2005. It occurs in the Western Mediterranean. As hosts up to now only several Lettuces of genus Lactuca are known.
Phelipanche hedypnoidis, Cretan Weed Broomrape
Phelipanche hedypnoidis / Cretan Weed Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Hedypnois rhagadioloides, Cretan Weed
Hedypnois rhagadioloides / Cretan Weed
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
Only in 2017 this yellowish-lilac colored Phelipanche has been described from a coastal site in Rodos, it occurs also at other locations of the Mediterranean coast and of the North-African coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Usually the host is Cretan Weed Hedypnois rhagadioloides, but rarely other Composites, Plantains, Apiaceae, and Brassicaceae, too.
Phelipanche schultzii, Schultz' Broomrape
Phelipanche schultzii / Schultz' Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Smyrnium olusatrum, Alexanders
Smyrnium olusatrum / Alexanders
Apiaceae / Umbellifers
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Phelipanche schultzii is parasite of many different plants, often of Apiaceae, but also of Rubia peregrina, Stachys glutinosa, and Scorpiurus. Usually Phelipanche schultzii grows higher than the plant which I photographed in a rather dry year.
Phelipanche rumseyana, Rumsey's Rosemary Broomrape
Phelipanche rumseyana / Rumsey's Rosemary Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Salvia rosmarinus, Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus / Rosemary
Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Phelipanche rumseyana belongs to a group of Phelipanche which are parasites on Rosemary. It is an endemism of the eastern Balearic Islands.
Phelipanche lavandulacea, Lavender Broomrape
Phelipanche lavandulacea / Lavender Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
(Photo: Uwe & Katja Grabner)
 
 
Bituminaria bituminosa, Pitch Trefoil
Bituminaria bituminosa / Pitch Trefoil
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Despite its name the hosts of the Lavender Broomrape aren't woody bushes as Lavender, but various herbaceous plants, often Pitch Trefoil Bituminaria bituminosa. Only the color of the flowers of this Broomrape is compared with that of Lavender.
 
Phelipanche arenaria, Wormwood Broomrape
Phelipanche arenaria / Wormwood Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Phelipanche arenaria, Wormwood Broomrape
Phelipanche arenaria / Wormwood Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Artemisia campestris, Field Wormwood
Artemisia campestris / Field Wormwood
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
Phelipanche purpurea, Yarrow Broomrape
Phelipanche purpurea / Yarrow Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Achillea millefolium agg., Yarrow
Achillea millefolium agg. / Yarrow
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Left: Phelipanche purpurea is parasite on several Composites as e.g. Achillea, Artemisia, and Cirsium, but also on Lamium species.
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
Below: Orobanche crenata is the one which gave the name Orobanche to the genus, the word Orobanche means "Pea Choker". It is parasite of different Legumes including economic plants of this family, but also of Carrots (Apiaceae) and Geraniums.
Orobanche crenata, Carnation-scented Broomrape
Orobanche crenata / Carnation-scented Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche crenata, Carnation-scented Broomrape
Orobanche crenata / Carnation-scented Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Lathyrus oleraceus subsp. biflorus, Field Pea
Lathyrus oleraceus subsp. biflorus / Field Pea
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 
Orobanche alba, Thyme Broomrape
Orobanche alba / Thyme Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche alba, Thyme Broomrape
Orobanche alba / Thyme Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Thymus pulegioides, Large Thyme
Thymus pulegioides / Large Thyme
Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
 
 
Orobanche reticulata subsp. pallidiflora, Pale Thistle Broomrape
Orobanche reticulata subsp. pallidiflora / Pale Thistle Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Carduus acanthoides, Welted Thistle
Carduus acanthoides / Welted Thistle
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
Above: Orobanche alba is parasite on several Labiatae as Thymus and Origanum, but rarely also on Potentilla, Euphorbia, and Heracleum species.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Left: Orobanche reticulata subsp. pallidiflora is the i>Orobanche which is cadging on thistles (Cirsium, Carduus).
 

 

 

 

 
 
Below: The other subspecies of the Thistle Orobanche, Orobanche reticulata subsp. reticulata is more often found on Knautia and Scabiosa than on thistles, it's more an alpine plant.
Orobanche reticulata subsp. reticulata, Thistle Broomrape
Orobanche reticulata subsp. reticulata / Thistle Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
(Photo: Uwe & Katja Grabner)
 
 
Scabiosa lucida subsp. lucida, Shining Scabious
Scabiosa lucida subsp. lucida / Shining Scabious
Dipsacaceae / Teasel Fam.
 
 
Carlina acaulis, Stemless Carline Thistle
Carlina acaulis / Stemless Carline Thistle
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
 
Below: The hairy Orobanche pubescens lives from different Apiaceae and Asteraceae, but also from Garden Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus.
Orobanche pubescens, Hairy Broomrape
Orobanche pubescens / Hairy Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Smyrnium olusatrum, Alexanders
Smyrnium olusatrum / Alexanders
Apiaceae / Umbellifers
 
 
Glebionis segetum, Corn Marygold
Glebionis segetum / Corn Marygold
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
Orobanche amethystea, Seaholly Broomrape
Orobanche amethystea / Seaholly Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Eryngium campestre, Field Thistle
Eryngium campestre / Field Thistle
Apiaceae / Umbellifers
 
Eryngium campestre, Field Thistle
Eryngium campestre / Field Thistle
Apiaceae / Umbellifers
 
Orobanche artemisiae-campestris, Wormwood Broomrape
Orobanche artemisiae-campestris / Wormwood Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Artemisia campestris, Field Wormwood
Artemisia campestris / Field Wormwood
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
Orobanche picridis, Picris Broomrape, Oxtongue Broomrape
Orobanche picridis / Picris Broomrape, Oxtongue Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche picridis, Picris Broomrape, Oxtongue Broomrape
Orobanche picridis / Picris Broomrape, Oxtongue Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Picris hieracioides, Hawkweed Ox-Tongue
Picris hieracioides / Hawkweed Ox-Tongue
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
Orobanche minor, Lesser Broomrape, Common Broomrape
Orobanche minor / Lesser Broomrape, Common Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Trifolium repens, White Clover
Trifolium repens / White Clover
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 
Trifolium pratense, Red Clover
Trifolium pratense / Red Clover
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 
Orobanche hederae, Ivy Broomrape
Orobanche hederae / Ivy Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche hederae, Ivy Broomrape
Orobanche hederae / Ivy Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Hedera helix, Ivy
Hedera helix / Ivy
Araliaceae / Ivy Fam.
 
 
Orobanche latisquama, Broomrape
Orobanche latisquama / Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Salvia rosmarinus, Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus / Rosemary
Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
 
Orobanche caryophyllacea, Bedstraw Broomrape
Orobanche caryophyllacea / Bedstraw Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
Orobanche caryophyllacea, Bedstraw Broomrape
Orobanche caryophyllacea / Bedstraw Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Galium verum, Lady's Bedstraw
Galium verum / Lady's Bedstraw
Rubiaceae / Bedstraw Fam.
 
Orobanche teucrii, Germander Broomrape
Orobanche teucrii / Germander Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Teucrium montanum, Mountain Germander
Teucrium montanum / Mountain Germander
Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
 
 
Teucrium chamaedrys, Wall Germander
Teucrium chamaedrys / Wall Germander
Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
 
 
Orobanche lutea, Yellow Broomrape
Orobanche lutea / Yellow Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche lutea, Yellow Broomrape
Orobanche lutea / Yellow Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Medicago x varia, Sand Lucerne
Medicago x varia / Sand Lucerne
= Medicago falcata x sativa
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 
Orobanche elatior, Tall Broomrape
Orobanche elatior / Tall Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche elatior, Tall Broomrape
Orobanche elatior / Tall Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Centaurea scabiosa, Greater Knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa / Greater Knapweed
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 
In the Mediterranean also several Composites are hosts.
Orobanche kochii, Koch's Broomrape
Orobanche kochii / Koch's Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Centaurea aspera, Rough Star-Thistle
Centaurea aspera / Rough Star-Thistle
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 

 
The three following Central European subspecies of Orobanche alsatica are closely related and are parasites on Apiaceae:
Orobanche alsatica subsp. alsatica, Alsatian Broomrape
Orobanche alsatica subsp. alsatica / Alsatian Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche alsatica subsp. alsatica, Alsatian Broomrape
Orobanche alsatica subsp. alsatica / Alsatian Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Peucedanum cervaria, Broad-Leaved Spignel
Peucedanum cervaria / Broad-Leaved Spignel
Apiaceae / Umbellifers
 
Orobanche alsatica subsp. libanotidis, Bartling's Broomrape
Orobanche alsatica subsp. libanotidis / Bartling's Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche alsatica subsp. libanotidis, Bartling's Broomrape
Orobanche alsatica subsp. libanotidis / Bartling's Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Seseli libanotis, Moon Carrot
Seseli libanotis / Moon Carrot
Apiaceae / Umbellifers
 
 
Orobanche alsatica subsp. mayeri, Mayer's Broomrape
Orobanche alsatica subsp. mayeri / Mayer's Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche alsatica subsp. mayeri, Mayer's Broomrape
Orobanche alsatica subsp. mayeri / Mayer's Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Laserpitium latifolium, Broad-Leaved Sermountain
Laserpitium latifolium / Broad-Leaved Sermountain
Apiaceae / Umbellifers
 
 
Orobanche flava, Butterbur Broomrape
Orobanche flava / Butterbur Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
(Photo: Uwe & Katja Grabner)
 
 
Petasites albus, White Butterbur
Petasites albus / White Butterbur
Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
 
 

 
Orobanche lucorum, Barberry Broomrape
Orobanche lucorum / Barberry Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Orobanche lucorum, Barberry Broomrape
Orobanche lucorum / Barberry Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Berberis vulgaris, Barberry
Berberis vulgaris / Barberry
Berberidaceae / Barberry Fam.
 
 
Orobanche salviae, Sage Broomrape
Orobanche salviae / Sage Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Salvia glutinosa, Sticky Sage
Salvia glutinosa / Sticky Sage
Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
 
 
Salvia glutinosa, Sticky Sage
Salvia glutinosa / Sticky Sage
Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
 
 
Orobanche pancicii, Pancic Broomrape
Orobanche pancicii / Pancic Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Knautia dipsacifolia, Wood Scabious
Knautia dipsacifolia / Wood Scabious
Dipsacaceae / Teasel Fam.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The Eastern European Orobanche pancicii lives on roots of Scabiosa and Knautia.
 
Orobanche rapum-genistae, Greater Broomrape
Orobanche rapum-genistae / Greater Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Cytisus scoparius, Scotch Broom
Cytisus scoparius / Scotch Broom
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Orobanche rapum-genistae is parasite on several Fabaceae, mainly Brooms and Gorses.
Orobanche gracilis, Slender Broomrape
Orobanche gracilis / Slender Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Hippocrepis comosa, Horseshoe Vetch
Hippocrepis comosa / Horseshoe Vetch
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 
Genista tinctoria, Dyer's Greenweed
Genista tinctoria / Dyer's Greenweed
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 
Orobanche gracilis is parasite on several Fabaceae, mainly Brooms and Clovers in wide sense.
Orobanche austrohispanica, Southern-Spanish Broomrape
Orobanche austrohispanica / Southern-Spanish Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Ulex gallii, Western Gorse
Ulex gallii / Western Gorse
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Orobanche austrohispanica is closely related to Orobanche gracilis but of stronger growth, and is also parasite on different .
Orobanche variegata, Variegated Broomrape
Orobanche variegata / Variegated Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Cytisus scoparius, Scotch Broom
Cytisus scoparius / Scotch Broom
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Orobanche variegata is parasite on several Fabaceae, mainly shrubs.
Orobanche sanguinea, Blood-Red Broomrape
Orobanche sanguinea / Blood-Red Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Lotus ornithopodioides, Clustered Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Lotus ornithopodioides / Clustered Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Fabaceae / Legumes
 
Orobanche cypria, Cyprian Broomrape
Orobanche cypria / Cyprian Broomrape
Orobanchaceae / Broomrape Fam.
 
 
Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus, Multi-Flowered Scabious
Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus / Multi-Flowered Scabious
Dipsacaceae / Teasel Fam.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Orobanche cypria is parasite on three endemic plants of Cyprus: Thymus integer, Pterocephalus multiflorus, and Scutellaria cypria.
There is a page on parasitic plants of other families, too.  
 

 


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20-Jun-21

Copyright: Use of the images and texts only with the author's written permission.