Seasonal Wild Flowers

Ivy Broomrape

Orobanche hederae

Orobachaceae

June to July

The plant shown here was flowering on June 1, so

presumably first appeared in May.

It is found mainly in the South and West, and is thinly

scattered elsewhere.

See the BSBI distribution map for Ivy Broomrape

It is found on Ivy and mainly near the coast in open rocky

woodland, quarries, hedge banks and on sea cliffs.

Ivy Broomrape is a native, annual or perennial parasite,

which grows up to 60cm on the roots of Ivy.

The flowers are in a spike and individual flowers are cream,

veined with purple.and up to 2cm.

The ends of the lobes on the flowers are slightly crisped.

The stigma is partially joined and yellow.

The calyx is purple, glandular and about the same

length as the corolla tube.

The stem is purple and glandular with a few scales.

Ivy Broomrape, Isle of Portland, Dorset

Purple-veined flowers and hairy stem

Crisped flower lips, glands on stem

Close-up of corolla - partially joined stigma

Close-up of crisped corolla lips, stigma

Ivy Broomrape in the open