Broomrape: The Mysterious Parasitic Wildflower You Probably Shouldn’t Plant
If you’ve ever stumbled across an unusual spike of flowers seemingly growing straight from the ground with no visible leaves, you might have encountered broomrape (Orobanche). This fascinating but problematic plant genus has earned quite a reputation in the botanical world – and not necessarily for good reasons.
What Exactly Is Broomrape?
Broomrape is a forb – essentially a non-woody flowering plant – that belongs to one of nature’s most controversial plant families. Unlike your typical garden flowers, these plants are complete parasites, meaning they’ve given up on photosynthesis entirely and instead steal all their nutrients from other plants. Think of them as the botanical equivalent of that friend who always forgets their wallet at dinner.
These plants can be annual, biennial, or perennial, depending on the species. What makes them truly unique (and slightly creepy) is that they lack the green chlorophyll that most plants use to make their own food, instead developing specialized root systems that tap directly into their host plants’ root systems.
Where Does Broomrape Grow?
Orobanche has an impressively wide distribution across North America, found in states and provinces including Alberta, Alabama, British Columbia, Alaska, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Colorado, Prince Edward Island, Connecticut, Quebec, Delaware, Saskatchewan, District of Columbia, Yukon, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Newfoundland.
While native to Alaska and St. Pierre and Miquelon, its status in other regions varies, making it a complex plant to categorize across its range.
Why You Probably Don’t Want Broomrape in Your Garden
Here’s where things get interesting (and why most gardeners steer clear of broomrape):
- It’s a plant vampire: Broomrape will literally drain the life from other plants in your garden
- Unpredictable growth: You can’t control what it will attack next
- Impossible to cultivate traditionally: Without host plants, broomrape simply cannot survive
- Potentially harmful to crops: Some species are serious agricultural pests
What Does Broomrape Look Like?
Broomrape typically appears as a spike of tubular flowers rising directly from the ground, often in shades of yellow, purple, brown, or cream. The plants lack normal green leaves, instead having scale-like structures along their stems. The overall appearance is quite distinctive – almost alien-like compared to typical garden plants.
The flower spikes can range from a few inches to over a foot tall, depending on the species and growing conditions.
The Bottom Line for Gardeners
While broomrape might be botanically fascinating, it’s not a plant you want to intentionally introduce to your garden. Its parasitic nature means it will harm other plants you’re trying to grow, and many species can become serious problems for both ornamental and food gardens.
If you encounter broomrape growing wild in natural areas, it can be an interesting botanical observation – just appreciate it from a distance and leave it where it belongs: in the wild, where it has co-evolved with its natural host plants over thousands of years.
For native plant gardeners looking for unique wildflowers, consider non-parasitic alternatives that will support rather than harm your garden ecosystem. Your other plants (and your gardening success) will thank you!
