| Orobanche californica | |
|---|---|
| Orobanche californica ssp. californica | |
| Conservation status | |
|
Apparently Secure (NatureServe) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus: | Orobanche |
| Species: | O. californica |
| Binomial name | |
| Orobanche californica Cham. & Schltdl. |
|
Orobanche californica is a species of broomrape known by the common name California broomrape. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Idaho to Baja California where it is a parasite growing attached to the roots of other plants, usually members of the Asteraceae, in many types of habitat. It has been noted to be associated with California goldenrod (Solidago californica)[1] and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata).[2] This plant arises from a thick root and grows erect to a maximum height near 35 centimeters, with one stem or a cluster of several. As a parasite taking its nutrients from a host plant, it lacks leaves and chlorophyll. It is light to dark purple in color and coated with glandular hairs. The inflorescence is an elongated or branching array of several flowers. Each flower is tubular, up to 5 centimeters long, and pale pink, yellowish, or purple in color, sometimes with stark veining. The fruit is a capsule containing minute seeds.
There are several subspecies, which are sometimes difficult to differentiate.
Subspecies: