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Orobanchaceae

Broomrape (Orobanche) is a genus of herbaceous parasitic plants belonging to the family Orobanchaceae. These plants completely lack chlorophyll and have no leaves in the traditional sense, instead appearing as yellowish or brownish stems. They survive by attaching themselves to the roots of host plants via specialized organs known as haustoria.

Main sections

Eyebright33 Castilleja22 Agalinis15 Broomrape8 Aureolaria5 Buchnera5 Centranthera5 Cistanche5 Aeginetia2 Boschniakia2 Cymbaria2 Alectra1 Anisantherina1 Bartsia1 Beechdrops1 Bellardia1 Bungea1 Conopholis1 Cordylanthus1 Cyclocheilon1
169 sections

What the section contains

Aconite broomrape Orobanche lycoctoni Aeginetia Aeginetia 2 items Aeginetia indica Aeginetia indica Agalinis Agalinis 15 items Alectra Alectra 1 item Alectra kirkii Alectra kirkii Alectra linearis Alectra linearis Alectra orobanchoides Alectra orobanchoides Alectra parasitica Alectra parasitica Alectra senegalensis Alectra senegalensis Alsatian broomrape Orobanche alsatica Anisantherina Anisantherina 1 item Aureolaria Aureolaria 5 items Australian broomrape Orobanche australiana Bartling's broomrape Orobanche bartlingii Bartsia Bartsia 1 item Bedstraw broomrape Orobanche caryophyllacea Beechdrops Epifagus 1 item Bellardia Bellardia 1 item Bihar cow-wheat Melampyrum bihariense Bloody broomrape Orobanche sanguinea Blue broomrape Orobanche caerulescens Blue broomrape Orobanche caesia Borbas' yellowrattle Rhinanthus borbasii Boschniakia Boschniakia 2 items Branched broomrape Orobanche nana Branched broomrape Orobanche oxyloba Broomrape Orobanche 8 items Broomrape Phelipanche Buchnera Buchnera 5 items Bungea Bungea 1 item Burnat's rattle Rhinanthus burnatii Calendula broomrape Orobanche calendulae Castilleja Castilleja 22 items Centranthera Centranthera 5 items Chalk Rattle Rhinanthus cretaceus Cistanche Cistanche Hoffmanns.& Link Cistanche Cistanche 5 items Common cow-wheat Melampyrum nemorosum Common cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense Conopholis Conopholis 1 item Cooper's broomrape Orobanche cooperi Cordylanthus Cordylanthus 1 item Cow wheat Melampyrum lineare Crested cow-wheat Melampyrum cristatum Cyclocheilon Cyclocheilon 1 item Cycnium Cycnium 1 item Cymbaria Cymbaria 2 items Dasistoma Dasistoma 1 item Dense-spike broomrape Orobanche pycnostachya Doerfler's cow-wheat Melampyrum doerfleri Egyptian broomrape Orobanche aegyptiaca Eyebright Euphrasia 33 items Fringed cow-wheat Melampyrum fimbriatum Germander broomrape Orobanche teucrii Graderia Graderia 1 item Greater broomrape Orobanche rapum-genistae Greater yellow-rattle Rhinanthus alectorolophus Grisebach's broomrape Orobanche grisebachii Heracleum cow-wheat Melampyrum heracleoticum

Orobanchaceae

The genus originates from the temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly around the Mediterranean. It thrives in well-drained, warm soils where it can easily tap into the root systems of common agricultural crops like sunflower, rapeseed, and various vegetables. Its spread is facilitated by small, wind-dispersed seeds that can remain dormant in the soil for over a decade.

Botanically, broomrape exhibits a complex parasitic strategy. Its seeds germinate only upon sensing specific chemical exudates (strigolactones) released by the roots of a potential host. Once the haustorium penetrates the host root, it begins to draw nutrients, significantly weakening the crop and often leading to severe stunting or total plant failure if the infestation is heavy.

Effective management requires an integrated approach to agronomy. Growers are advised to focus on preventative measures, including the use of resistant crop varieties and strict weed management programs. Chemical control is possible through specialized herbicide-tolerant crop systems, which allow for the application of herbicides that destroy the parasite without damaging the host.

Broomrape has no positive commercial utility and is strictly classified as a severe agricultural pest. It causes immense economic losses globally. Farmers must prioritize crop rotation, hygiene of agricultural machinery, and the planting of resistant genetics to minimize the pressure from this aggressive parasitic plant on their fields.