orobanche rapum-genistae

Orobanche rapum-genistae, the greater broomrape, is a plant species in the genus Orobanche. It is a parasitic plant, native to Europe, growing on the roots of plants in the bean family, usually common broom or European gorse.

The broomrapes are perennial, parasitic plants which contain no chlorophyll and are totally dependent on other plants to provide their nutrients. The greater broomrape can grow to a height of 3 ft (1 m) with a honey-brown downy stem, persisting as a dark brown dead spike after ...