Hemp Broomrape: A Noxious Weed You Should Never Plant
If you’ve stumbled across hemp broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) in your gardening research, we need to have a serious chat. This isn’t your typical should I plant this? situation – this is definitely a plant you want to avoid at all costs. Let me explain why this sneaky little parasite has earned itself a spot on the noxious weed list.
What Exactly Is Hemp Broomrape?
Hemp broomrape is a parasitic plant that’s about as welcome in gardens as ants at a picnic. This non-native species originally hails from the Mediterranean region but has unfortunately made its way to several U.S. states. Unlike your typical garden plants that make their own food through photosynthesis, this crafty character survives by literally stealing nutrients from other plants.
As a forb (that’s botanist-speak for a non-woody plant), hemp broomrape can be annual, biennial, or perennial depending on conditions. But here’s the kicker – it doesn’t have significant woody tissue and keeps its growing buds at or below ground level, making it surprisingly persistent once it takes hold.
Where You Might Encounter This Troublemaker
Hemp broomrape has established itself in several states across the country, including California, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. If you’re gardening in any of these areas, it’s especially important to know what this plant looks like so you can spot it early.
Why Hemp Broomrape Is Bad News for Gardens
Here’s why this plant has earned its noxious weed status in the United States:
- It’s a parasite: Hemp broomrape attaches to the roots of other plants and steals their nutrients, often killing or severely weakening host plants
- It targets valuable crops: This pest particularly loves tomatoes, tobacco, legumes, and other economically important plants
- It spreads rapidly: Each plant can produce thousands of tiny seeds that remain viable in soil for years
- It’s hard to control: Once established, hemp broomrape is notoriously difficult to eliminate
How to Identify Hemp Broomrape
Since you definitely don’t want this plant establishing itself in your garden, here’s what to look for:
- Small, yellowish to purplish flowers arranged on branched stems
- Lack of green leaves (since it doesn’t photosynthesize)
- Grows attached to the roots of host plants
- Typically stands 6-24 inches tall when flowering
- Appears suddenly near stressed or declining plants
What to Do If You Find Hemp Broomrape
If you suspect you’ve found hemp broomrape in your garden:
- Don’t panic, but do act quickly
- Contact your local agricultural extension office for proper identification
- Avoid disturbing the soil around the plant to prevent seed spread
- Follow official removal guidelines – this often requires professional intervention
- Never compost suspected hemp broomrape plants
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
Instead of risking the introduction of this noxious weed, consider these native alternatives that actually benefit your garden ecosystem:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): A native forb with attractive purple flowers that pollinators adore
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Beautiful, hardy, and provides seeds for birds
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Cheerful yellow blooms and excellent wildlife value
- New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): Late-season pollinator magnet with stunning fall color
The Bottom Line
Hemp broomrape is one plant that should never make it into your shopping cart or garden bed. Its status as a noxious weed isn’t just bureaucratic red tape – it’s a genuine warning about a plant that can cause serious ecological and economic damage. Stick with native plants that support your local ecosystem and won’t turn into expensive problems down the road.
Remember, the best gardens are built on plants that play well with others, not ones that quite literally suck the life out of their neighbors. Your garden (and your wallet) will thank you for choosing native alternatives instead!
