Orobanche californica subsp. grayana

Orobanche californica, known by the common name California broomrape, is a species of broomrape. It is a parasitic plant growing attached to the roots of other plants, usually members of the Asteraceae.

Description

A parasitic plant. It grows attached to other plants. It grows 4-20 cm long. It does not have green colouring and gets its nutrients from the other plants. There can be a cluster of flowers. The flowers are white or pink. The fruit are 2-valved capsules with many seeds.

Edible Uses

The stems and roots are edible.

Medicinal Uses

The Paiute people of eastern California and the Great Basin used a decoction as a cold remedy and pulmonary aid.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Notes

There are about 140 Orobanche species.

Synonyms

References (1)

• Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

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