Orobanche Hederae, Ivy Broomrape



Common name:
Ivy broomrape
Scientific name:
Orobanche hederae
Main flower color:
Range:
Southwest England and parts of Wales, mainly coastal
Height:
Between 10 cm and 40 cm
Habitat:
Calcareous grassland and sea cliffs; a parasitic species, on ivy roots
Flowers:
The corollas are creamy-white, crossed by faint purple veins, and relatively short, up to 18 mm. Contained within are four stamens, with gland-lined filaments, and one pistil, topped by a yellow, lobed stigma, the lobes touching rather than separate. Stems have a covering of downy hairs, and are somewhat expanded at the base. The calyx has two lips, each divided into a pair of long, narrow lobes
Leaves:
None; only a few small, scale-like bracts
Season:
May to July
Rarity:
★★★★