Slender broomrape (Orobanche gracilis, Trans. Linn. Soc. 4: 172 (1798))

Family: Orobanchaceae

Author: Sm.

Bibliography: Trans. Linn. Soc. 4: 172 (1798)

Year: 1798

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Orobanche

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. Europe to SW. Türkiye, Caucasus, NW. Africa

Description

Slender broomrape is a fascinating and unique plant species known scientifically as Orobanche gracilis. This intriguing member of the Orobanchaceae family was first described in 1798, and its classification was detailed in the Linnean Society Transactions by the author Sm.

Slender broomrape is primarily found across a diverse geographical range that includes Central and Southern Europe, Southwest Türkiye, the Caucasus region, and Northwest Africa. This wide distribution hints at the plant’s adaptability to various climates and terrains.

As a member of the Orobanchaceae family, slender broomrape is a parasitic plant. It derives nutrients from other plants, making it an unusual and captivating subject for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. This parasitism often involves attaching to the roots of host plants, from which it siphons essential nutrients required for its survival and growth.

The botanical interest in Orobanche gracilis extends beyond its parasitic nature. The plant’s slender and delicate appearance adds an aesthetic appeal that contrasts with its complex ecological role. The scientific community continues to study this plant to understand better its interactions with host plants and its role within the ecosystems it inhabits.

Overall, slender broomrape serves as a remarkable example of the intricate relationships that can exist within nature, showcasing the delicate balance of parasitism and adaptation in the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Deu: blutrote sommerwurz, zierliche sommerwurz
Eng: slender broomrape
Nld: bloedrode bremraap
En: Slender broomrape
Ca: Frare petit
Cs: Záraza štíhlá
Nl: Bloedrode bremraap, Sierlijke Bremraap
Fr: Orobanche grêle, Orobanche sanglante, Orobanche à odeur de girofle
De: Blutrote Sommerwurz, Zierliche Sommerwurz, Schlanke Sommerwurz
It: Succiamele rossastro
Sk: Záraza útla

Synonyms

• Orobanche cruenta subsp. gracilis ((Sm.) Arcang.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 17, 2011 by Marcel Ambühl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2019 by Durán Mónica (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Michael Weiß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Daniele Boggiani (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 14, 2019 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Anna Deshayes (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Jul 9, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Pierre Papleux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 20, 1850 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2020 by Aurizio Aurizia Aurizia (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2016 by Geoffrey Saillet (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 30, 2021 by Micifor L (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2021 by Corral Madariaga Alfredo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by walter kern (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Micifor L (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2017 by Juan Ebri (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7750780)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:662378-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Orobanche gracilis Sm.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2