Orobanchaceae
Broomrape Family
The Orobanchaceae family (Broomrape Family) is a botanical family placed in the order Lamiales. In the SASYA catalogue it spans 5 species across 3 genera. Its members are predominantly herbs. Well-represented genera include Aeginetia, Christisonia and Cistanche. Several members are valued in traditional medicine. Familiar examples include Forest Ghost Flower, Yellow Ghost flower and Bicolor Christisonia.
Browse all 5 species ↓
Often lacking chlorophyll entirely, or only partly green, these herbs attach to a host plant's roots via a parasitic connection instead of gathering all their own nutrients; bilaterally symmetrical, tubular flowers emerge directly from a fleshy, leafless, often brownish or yellowish stem.
Many members are full or partial root parasites, tapping directly into a host plant's roots for water, minerals, and even sugars — some have lost the ability to photosynthesise altogether.
Which Orobanchaceae species is this?
Answer what you can see and narrow it down to a single Orobanchaceae species.
Typical leaf characters
- ArrangementAlternate
- TypeVariable
- MarginVariable
- VenationVariable
Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.
Typical flower & fruit
- Flower symmetryZygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical)
- InflorescenceRaceme
- FruitLegume
Typical of the family — flowering plants only; species can vary.
Notable members
All 5 species in OROBANCHACEAE
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