Broomrape

Broom-rape, the English name of the genus Orobanche, the type of the order Orobanchaceae, parasitic plants closely related to the Scrophulariaceae, from which, indeed, they differ mainly in their parasitic habit and in their one-chambered ovary. The Orobanches contain little or no chlorophyl, having fleshy brownish stems, leaves reduced to brown scales, and a spike of flowers with brown calyces, two-lipped pinkish or purple corollas, didynamous stamens, and numerous minute seeds. There are about seventy described species, natives of temperate and tropical climates, especially Eastern Asia and South Europe. There are six or eight British species, the roots of which, in germinating, attach themselves to those of various plants, especially clover, furze, broom, flax, thyme, and milfoil. The plants apparently vary considerably according to the species of their host-plant. Broom-rape is seriously injurious to clover crops.