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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

Lousewort69 Red bartsia14 Orthocarpus4 Lamourouxia2 Nothobartsia2 Phelypaea2 Hyobanche1 Lindenbergia1 Macranthera1 Macrosyringion1 Mannagettaea1 Melasma1 Monochasma1 Nesogenes1 Odontitella1 Phacellanthus1 Phtheirospermum1
169 sections

What the section contains

Herbich's cow-wheat Melampyrum herbichii Hermon broomrape Orobanche hermonis Hoermann's Cow-wheat Melampyrum hoermannianum Hyobanche Hyobanche 1 item Italian cow-wheat Melampyrum italicum Ivy broomrape Orobanche hederae Koch's broomrape Orobanche kochii Korean agrimony Agrimonia coreana Kurdish broomrape Orobanche kurdica Lamourouxia Lamourouxia 2 items Lax cow-wheat Melampyrum laxum Lindenbergia Lindenbergia 1 item Louisiana broomrape Orobanche ludoviciana Lousewort Pedicularis 69 items Macranthera Macranthera 1 item Macrosyringion Macrosyringion 1 item Mannagettaea Mannagettaea 1 item Melampyrum barbatum Melampyrum barbatum Melampyrum saxosum Melampyrum saxosum Melampyrum trichocalycinum Melampyrum trichocalycinum Melasma Melasma 1 item Monochasma Monochasma 1 item Nesogenes Nesogenes 1 item Nothobartsia Nothobartsia 2 items Odontitella Odontitella 1 item One-flowered broomrape Orobanche uniflora Orobanche arenaria Orobanche arenaria Orobanche boninsimae Orobanche boninsimae Orobanche camphorosmae Orobanche camphorosmae Orobanche camptolepis Orobanche camptolepis Orobanche canescens Orobanche canescens Orobanche cyrnea Orobanche cyrnea Orobanche dalmatica Orobanche dalmatica Orobanche densiflora Orobanche densiflora Orobanche foetida Orobanche foetida Orobanche grenieri Orobanche grenieri Orobanche haenseleri Orobanche haenseleri Orobanche hymenocalyx Orobanche hymenocalyx Orobanche inexspectata Orobanche inexspectata Orobanche laserpitii-sileris Orobanche laserpitii-sileris Orobanche montserratii Orobanche montserratii Orobanche olbiensis Orobanche olbiensis Orobanche pancicii Orobanche pancicii Orobanche pubescens Orobanche pubescens Orthocarpus Orthocarpus 4 items Parentucellia Parentucellia Phacellanthus Phacellanthus 1 item Phelypaea Phelypaea 2 items Phtheirospermum Phtheirospermum 1 item Picris Broomrape Orobanche picridis Pink cow-wheat Melampyrum roseum Polish cow-wheat Melampyrum polonicum Red bartsia Odontites 14 items Rhamphicarpa Rhamphicarpa Rhinanthus antiquus Rhinanthus antiquus Rhinanthus carinthiacus Rhinanthus carinthiacus Rhinanthus glacialis Rhinanthus glacialis Rhinanthus ovifugus Rhinanthus ovifugus Rhinanthus pampaninii Rhinanthus pampaninii Rhinanthus pseudoantiquus Rhinanthus pseudoantiquus

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.