General: Clustered Broom-rape (Aphyllon fasciculatum)
is a parasitic plant that has no chlorophyll. Broom-rape attaches to the roots of other plants and sucks sugars and nutrients from them. Clustered Broom-rape has no above ground stems; only the flowers, flowers stalks, and a few bracts emerge to a few inches above ground. The flowers are tubular and bent, ranging in color from yellow to purplish.
Clustered Broom-rape is an uncommon component of vegetation communities in dry, well-drained soils on in the lower mountains (Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) and Transition (Yellow Pine Forest) life zones.
Family: Broom-rape family (Orobanchaceae).
Other Names: Formerly Orobanche fasciculata.
Plant Form: Upright flower stems emerging from the ground. |