Orobanche californica explained

Orobanche californica, known by the common name California broomrape, is a species of broomrape.[1] It is a parasitic plant growing attached to the roots of other plants, usually members of the Asteraceae.

Distribution

Orobanche californica is native to western North America from British Columbia and Idaho, through California and Nevada, to Baja California.[2] It is found in many types of habitats. It has been noted to be associated with California goldenrod (Solidago californica)[3] and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata).[4]

Description

This plant arises from a thick root and grows erect to a maximum height near 35cm (14inches), 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.

Subspecies

There are several subspecies, which are sometimes difficult to differentiate. They include:[5] [2]

Uses

The Paiute people of eastern California and the Great Basin used a decoction as a cold remedy and pulmonary aid.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=34279 ITIS Report: Orobanche californica
  2. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ORCA2 USDA
  3. http://homepage.mac.com/bugbob/ocw/orobanche/index.html Broom-rape Plants in Orange County, California
  4. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plnov99.htm Parasitic Flowering Plants
  5. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Orobanche+californica Calfora: Orobanche californica — subspecies and varieties
  6. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/search_icpn.php?tid=51828 Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Orobanche californica ssp. californica
  7. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/search_icpn.php?tid=51829 Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Orobanche californica subsp. condensa
  8. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/search_icpn.php?tid=51830 Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Orobanche californica ssp. feudgei
  9. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/search_icpn.php?tid=51831 Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Orobanche californica ssp. grandis
  10. http://www.calflora.org/entry/dgrid.html?crn=5969 Calflora: Distribution map of Orobanche californica ssp. grandis
  11. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/search_icpn.php?tid=51832 Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Orobanche californica ssp. grayana
  12. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/search_icpn.php?tid=51833 Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Orobanche californica ssp. jepsonii
  13. http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Orobanche+californica University of Michigan, Dearborn—Native American Ethnobotany species account for Orobanche californica