OROBANCHEL. - BROOMRAPE
Scientific Description:
Stem branched or simple, with terminal spikes. Flowers subtended by a single bract, lacking bracteoles or with 2 lateral bracteoles. Calyx campanulate and distinctly 4−5-dentate, or divided into 2 lateral, 1-or 2-dentate halves free or connate near base. Corolla cylindrical, bilabiate, lower lip 3-lobed. Stamens included.
Reference:
Gilli A (1982). Orobanche L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 7: 3.
Public Description:
Orobanche is a genus of parasitic herbaceous plants known as “broomrape”, mostly native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. There are approximately 119 species in the world and 40 species (41 taxa) in Türkiye. The broomrape plant is small, from 10–60 cm tall depending on species. It is best recognized by its yellow- to straw-coloured stems completely lacking chlorophyll, bearing yellow, white, or blue snapdragon-like flowers. These plants generally flower from late winter to late spring. When they are not flowering, no part of the plants is visible above the surface of the soil. As they have no chlorophyll, they are totally dependent on other plants for nutrients. Broomrape seeds remain dormant in the soil, often for many years, until stimulated to germinate by certain compounds produced by living plant roots. Broomrape seedlings put out a root-like growth, which attaches to the roots of nearby hosts. Once attached to a host, the broomrape robs its host of water and nutrients. Some species are only able to parasitise a single plant species, others can infect several genera.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orobanche/,Accessed date: 03.03.2016.
Anonymous 2 (2016). https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/genus/orobanche/,Accessed date: 03.03.2016.
Anonymous 3 (2016). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Orobanchaceae/Orobanche/,Accessed date: 03.03.2016.
Özbek UM (2012). Orobanche L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 654–657.
.JPG)
