Broomrape Totally Explained

Everything about Broomrape totally explained

Broomrape or Broom-rape (Orobanche) is a genus of about 150 species of parasitic herbaceous plants in the family Orobanchaceae, mostly native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Some species formerly included in this genus are now referred to the genus Conopholis.
   The broomrape plant is small, from 10-60 cm tall depending on species. It is best recognized by its yellow-to-straw coloured stems completely lacking chlorophyll, bearing yellow, white or blue, snapdragon-like flowers. The flower shoots are scaly, with a dense terminal spike of 10-20 flowers in most species, though single in O. uniflora. The leaves are merely triangular scales. The seeds are minute, tan-to-brown, and blacken with age. These plants generally flower from late winter to late spring. When they're not flowering, no part of these plants is visible above the surface of the soil.
   As they've no chlorophyll, they're totally dependent on other plants for nutrients. Broomrape seeds remain dormant in the soil, often for many years, until stimulated to germinate by certain compounds produced by living plant roots . Broomrape seedlings put out a root-like growth, which attaches to the roots of nearby hosts. Once attached to a host, the broomrape robs its host of water and nutrients.
   Some species are only able to parasitise a single plant species, such as Ivy Broomrape Orobanche hederae, which is restricted to parasitising ivy; these species are often named after the plant they parasitise. Others can infect several genera, such as the Lesser Broomrape O. minor, on Trifolium and other related Fabaceae. Branched broomrape Orobanche ramosa, native to central and southwestern Europe but widely naturalised elsewhere, is considered a major threat to crops in some areas. Plants that are parasitized are tomato, eggplant, potato, cabbage, coleus, bell pepper, sunflower, celery, and beans. In heavily infested areas, branched broomrape can cause total crop failure.

Species (not a complete list)

Orobanche aegyptiaca Egyptian Broomrape
Orobanche alba Thyme Broomrape
Orobanche alsatica Alsace Broomrape
Orobanche amethystea Eryngium Broomrape
Orobanche arenaria Wormwood Broomrape
Orobanche cernua Nodding Broomrape
Orobanche caryophyllacea Bedstraw Broomrape
Orobanche elatior Knapweed Broomrape
Orobanche fasciculata Fascicled Broomrape
Orobanche gracilis Slender Broomrape
Orobanche grayana Gray's Broomrape
Orobanche hederae Ivy Broomrape
Orobanche loricata Oxtongue Broomrape
Orobanche ludoviciana Desert Broomrape
Orobanche lutea Medick Broomrape
Orobanche maritima Carrot Broomrape
Orobanche minor Lesser Broomrape
Orobanche purpurea Yarrow Broomrape
Orabanche pubescens Hairy Broomrape
Orobanche ramosa Branched Broomrape
Orobanche rapum-genistae Greater Broomrape
Orobanche reticulata Thistle Broomrape
Orobanche teucrii Germander Broomrape
Orobanche uniflora Naked Broomrape

Further Information

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