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Reference · Crops

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

Striga4 Toothwort4 Rhynchocorys3 Siphonostegia3 Seymeria2 Tozzia2 Schwalbea1 Sopubia1 Tomanthera1 Vellosiella1 Yellow rattle1
169 sections

What the section contains

Rhinanthus pumilus Rhinanthus pumilus Rhinanthus riphaeus Rhinanthus riphaeus Rhinanthus rumelicus Rhinanthus rumelicus Rhynchocorys Rhynchocorys 3 items Rosemary broomrape Orobanche rosmarina Sage broomrape Orobanche salviae Santolina broomrape Orobanche santolinae Scaly broomrape Orobanche latisquama Scardian cow-wheat Melampyrum scardicum Schultz's broomrape Orobanche schultzii Schwalbea Schwalbea 1 item Serbian broomrape Orobanche serbica Seymeria Seymeria 2 items Siphonostegia Siphonostegia 3 items Slender broomrape Orobanche gracilis Songeon's rattle Rhinanthus songeonii Sopubia Sopubia 1 item Striga Striga Lour. 4 items Striga aequinoctialis Striga aequinoctialis Striga bilabiata Striga bilabiata Striga elegans Striga elegans Striga junodii Striga junodii Striga latericea Striga latericea Striga linearifolia Striga linearifolia Striga macrantha Striga macrantha Striga passargei Striga passargei Striga thunbergii Striga thunbergii Subalpine cow-wheat Melampyrum subalpinum Thistle broomrape Orobanche reticulata Thyme broomrape Orobanche alba Tobacco broomrape Orobanche nicotianae Tomanthera Tomanthera 1 item Toothwort Lathraea 4 items Tozzia Tozzia 2 items Velebit cow-wheat Melampyrum velebiticum Vellosiella Vellosiella 1 item Wagner's Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus wagneri Wettstein's Rattle Rhinanthus wettsteinii Witchweed Striga aspera Witchweed Striga lutea Wood cow-wheat Melampyrum sylvaticum Wormwood broomrape Orobanche artemisiae-campestris Wormwood broomrape Orobanche lucorum Yarrow broomrape Orobanche purpurea Yellow broomrape Orobanche flava Yellow broomrape Orobanche lutea Yellow rattle Rhinanthus L. 1 item Yellow rattle Rhinanthus angustifolius Yellow rattle Rhinanthus subulatus

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.