Family: Orobanchaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 633 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Orobanche
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Macaronesia, W. & C. Medit. to NE. Trop. Africa
Description
Hemp broomrape, scientifically known as Orobanche ramosa, is a fascinating parasitic plant belonging to the Orobanchaceae family. This species, first described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 within his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” has a broad geographical range, thriving in diverse climates and regions.
Hemp broomrape is indigenous to areas spanning Macaronesia, Western and Central Mediterranean regions, and extending to the northeastern tropical parts of Africa. Its adaptability to different environments underscores its versatile nature and the ecological niches it occupies.
As a parasitic plant, Orobanche ramosa lacks chlorophyll and thus cannot perform photosynthesis. Instead, it relies entirely on host plants for nutrients, attaching to their roots and siphoning off water and essential minerals. This adaptation not only enables hemp broomrape to survive but also impacts the growth and health of its host plants, which typically include a variety of important crops and wild species.
The plant’s lifecycle is intricately linked to the availability of suitable hosts. It produces seeds that lie dormant in the soil until they detect chemical signals emitted by potential host plants. Upon germination, the seeds develop specialized structures to penetrate host roots and establish a connection, leading to the eventual emergence of flowering stems above ground.
Hemp broomrape is known for its distinctive appearance. It features slender, branching stems topped with clusters of small, tubular flowers. The flowers can vary in color, ranging from pale blue to lavender, and are often a striking sight in the habitats where the plant proliferates.
Due to its parasitic nature, Orobanche ramosa is considered a significant agricultural pest in many parts of its range. It can adversely affect the yield and quality of important crops, such as tomatoes, hemp, and other economically vital plants. Consequently, it poses challenges for farmers and agricultural scientists who strive to manage and control its spread to safeguard crops.
In ecological terms, hemp broomrape contributes to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. It plays a role in the complex web of interactions among plants, insects, and other organisms within its ecosystem, showcasing the intricate interdependencies found in nature.
Hemp broomrape, with its unique biological traits and widespread distribution, continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and agricultural experts alike. Its presence serves as a reminder of the delicate balance within natural systems and the ongoing efforts required to understand and mitigate the impacts of parasitic plants on agriculture.
Common Names
En: Hemp broomrape, Branched Broomrape
Ca: Frare blau
Cs: Záraza větevnatá
Nl: Hennepvreter
Et: Harksoomukas
Fr: Orobanche rameuse, Orobanche du chanvre, Orobanche ramifiée, Mort-au-chanvre, Phélipée rameuse
De: Ästige Sommerwurz, Žstige Sommerwurz, Hanf-Würger
He: עלקת ענפה
It: Succiamele ramoso
Lt: Šakotoji džioveklė
Es: Hierba tora, Jopo
Sv: Hampsnyltrot, Grenig snyltrot
Synonyms
- Orobanche micrantha (Wallr.)
- Orobanche albiflora (Gren. & Godr.)
- Phelipanche ramosa ((L.) Pomel)
- Kopsia ramosa f. polyclonos ((Wallr.) Bég.)
- Phelypaea reuteri (Moris)
- Kopsia ramosa ((L.) Dumort.)
- Phelypaea emarginata (Reut.)
- Lathraea phelypea (Forssk.)
- Phelypaea ramosa ((L.) C.A.Mey.)
- Phelypaea ramosissima (Gennari)
- Orobanche cannabis (Vaucher)
- Orobanche cannabios (F.W.Schultz)
- Orobanche ramosa var. monoclonos ((Wallr.) Delip.)
- Orobanche commutata (Zumagl.)
- Orobanche monoclonos (Beck)
- Orobanche ramosa var. polyclonos (Wallr.)
- Phelypaea albiflora (Gren. & Godr.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Corse (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- France (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Oman (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Socotra (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Belarus (introduced)
- Belgium (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Mali (introduced)
- Namibia (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Poland (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 7, 2020 by Maria Taria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 26, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 26, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7767780)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:662640-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Orobanche ramosa L.)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3173272)