Oneflowered broomrape
Prepared by Jennifer L. D’Appollonio, Assistant Scientist, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. March 2013.
Scientific name: Orobanche uniflora L.
Common name(s): oneflowered broomrape, naked broomrape, cancer root, one-flower cancer root, ghost pipe
Links: USDA PLANTS Profile, NPIN Profile, Go Botany
Images: (to see enlargements [PC]: click on image, then right click and choose “view image”)
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- rocky blueberry field, with goldenrod
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- early June
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- patch of yellow hairs on lower lip
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- stem detail, flowerbud
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- plant lacks chlorophyll
Description:
– annual
– flowers are white to lavender, sometimes purple
-3-10 inch brownish stem
-does not contain chlorophyll
- dependent on other plants for their nutrients
– parasitic on hosts such as sedum, goldenrods, sunflowers
Habitat:
-damp woods
-thickets
-stream banks
-full to partial sun
Source(s):
DeLay, Chantelle, and Terry Miller. “One-Flowered Cancer Root (Orobanche Uniflora L.).” Forest Service Shield, U.S. Forest Service, www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/orobanche_uniflora.shtml.