- Orobanche californica
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Orobanche californica Orobanche californica ssp. californica Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Orobanchaceae Genus: Orobanche Species: O. californica Binomial name Orobanche californica
Cham. & Schltdl.Orobanche californica is a species of broomrape known by the common name California broomrape. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Idaho to Baja California where it is a parasite growing attached to the roots of other plants, usually members of the Asteraceae, in many types of habitat. It has been noted to be associated with California goldenrod (Solidago californica)[1] and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata).[2] This plant arises from a thick root and grows erect to a maximum height near 35 centimeters, with one stem or a cluster of several. As a parasite taking its nutrients from a host plant, it lacks leaves and chlorophyll. It is light to dark purple in color and coated with glandular hairs. The inflorescence is an elongated or branching array of several flowers. Each flower is tubular, up to 5 centimeters long, and pale pink, yellowish, or purple in color, sometimes with stark veining. The fruit is a capsule containing minute seeds.
There are several subspecies, which are sometimes difficult to differentiate.
Subspecies:
- O. c. ssp. californica - native to coastal California, parasitizes Grindelia
- O. c. ssp. feudgei - native to dry areas in California and Baja California, growing on sagebrush
- O. c. ssp. grandis - uncommon subspecies found in coastal areas in California
- O. c. ssp. grayana - found in moist mountainous areas on Erigeron and Aster
- O. c. ssp. jepsonii - uncommon California subspecies found on assorted Asteraceae
References
External links
Categories:- Orobanchaceae
- Lamiales stubs
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