Thyme broomrape (Orobanche alba, Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 3: 450 (1800))

Family: Orobanchaceae

Author: Stephan ex Willd.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 3: 450 (1800)

Year: 1800

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Orobanche

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Himalaya, SE. Tibet to China (NW. Sichuan), NW. Africa

Description

Thyme broomrape, scientifically known as Orobanche alba, is a fascinating plant species native to a diverse range that spans from Europe to the Central Himalayas, and extends southeast to Tibet and northwest into China, specifically in the Sichuan province, as well as being found in northwest Africa. This broad geographical distribution highlights its adaptability to various climates and terrains.

Belonging to the Orobanchaceae family, Orobanche alba is a parasitic plant, which means it derives some or all of its nutritional requirements from another living plant. In this case, it is often associated with thyme plants, from which it derives its common name, ‘thyme broomrape’. This intricate parasitic relationship allows Orobanche alba to thrive without the need for photosynthesis, a trait that sets it apart from many other plant species.

The plant has been documented for centuries and was officially classified by the botanists Stephan and Willdenow, with its description recorded in the fourth edition of “Species Plantarum” in 1800. Over the years, Thyme broomrape has piqued the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike due to its unique survival strategy and its role within the ecosystems it inhabits.

Its presence in both European regions and as far afield as the Central Himalayas and parts of China and Africa indicates a remarkable evolutionary history that has enabled it to conquer various environmental pressures and thrive across a vast range of habitats. Understanding this plant can provide insights into the complex interactions between parasitic plants and their host species, as well as the ecological dynamics of the regions in which they live.

Common Names

Deu: quendel-sommerwurz, thymian-sommerwurz
Eng: thyme broomrape
Nob: timiansnylterot
Nno: timiansnylterot
Swe: timjansnyltrot
Cym: gorfanadl teim, gorfanc coch, gorfanhadlen deim
En: Thyme broomrape, Red Broomrape
Zh: Bai hua lie dang
Nl: Tijmbremraap
Fi: Ajuruohonnäive
Fr: Orobanche blanche, Orobanche du thym
De: Thymian-Sommerwurz, Quendel-Sommerwurz, Weiße Sommerwurz
It: Succiamele del Serpillo
Nb: Timiansnylterot
Nn: Timiansnylterot
Sv: Timjansnyltrot
Cy: Gorfanadl Teim, Gorfanc Coch, Gorfanhadlen Deim

Synonyms

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Arnaud MUTUEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2019 by inga may (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Wohlgenannt Florian (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 12, 2009 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 16, 2015 by Elzet Dental (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Guillaume MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Rivière Michel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (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.

Leaf

Taken Apr 18, 2020 by philippe roche (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by gibert felix (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2021 by Carreras sergi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2015 by Elzet Dental (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2020 by Inna2208 Inna2208 (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 4, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 4, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 30, 1872 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Corine OOSTERLEE (©)

Taken Jun 21, 2008 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8051275)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:662091-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Orobanche alba Stephan ex Willd.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 9.0

Ph minimum: 8.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

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

Soil nutriments: 2