Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family)

Fleshy root parasites lacking chlorophyll. The main stems are unusually thick, with scales in lieu of leaves. They are partially underground, attached at the base to the root of a host plant. Flowers are in spikes or clusters. The calyx is five-lobed and the corolla tubular with five irregular lobes.

Orobanche corymbosa(Rydb.) Ferris. Flat-topped Broomrape, Sagebrush Strangler. Fleshy herbs 2–5 in (5–12 cm) tall, reddish purple to pale violet. The inflorescence is short and broadly corymbose, 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) long, the flowers on slender individual stems about 1/2 in (13 mm) long. Calyx lobes are long and slender. The corolla is up to 1 in (2.5 cm) long and slightly curved. Its two upper lobes are erect, and the lower ones curve outward. Anthers are hairy. Flower: Dull reddish with violet lines and yellow patches between the lobes of the lower lip.

Distribution. Limited, parasitic mostly on sagebrush; Pinyon-juniper Woodland and Subalpine Zone, 7,000–10,400 ft (2,134–3,171 m).

Orobanche fasciculataNutt. Clustered Broomrape, Mountain Strangler. (Plate 6.133) Fleshy herbs 3–10 in (7.5–24 cm) tall, usually reddish purple. Inflorescence of 4 to 10 flowers, each on a long stem 1–4 in (2.5–10 cm) long. Calyx with short triangular lobes. The corolla is 3/4–1 in (2–2.5 cm) long, strongly curved outward, all lobes about the same length. Anthers are not hairy but some are a bit woolly. Flower: Much the same as O. corymbosa .

Distribution. Limited, parasitic on various species; Pinyon-juniper Woodland and Subalpine Zone, 7,000–10,600 ft (2,134–3,231 m).