How to Grow and Care for Broomrapes

The Ästhetische Sommerwurz is a 3 to 40 cm tall, parasitic plant that parasitizes mainly on hemp (cannabis), tobacco (Nicotiana) and nightshade (Solanum). The plant branches basally, mostly underground.

Mutel's broomrape is a parasitic annual dicot noted for its pretty blooms which belie its parasitic nature. This plant's Latin name Phelipanche mutelii has its origins in Greek words phelos, which means deceiver or thief, and ancho, which means strangle, while mutelli honors the name of the French botanist Pierre Auguste Victor Mutel. Interestingly, this plant has no chlorophyll.

Branched broomrape (Phelipanche mutelii subsp. mutelii) comes from Eurasia and North Africa, but has been introduced elsewhere. It is a parasitic species that produces no leaves and no chlorophyll. As such, it must attach itself to another plant to drain water and nutrients. It is a problematic pest in tobacco, tomato, and potato fields.

The purple broomrape is a 15 to 60 cm high parasitic plant. It parasites on yarrow species (Achillea) and less often on mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and the stemless thistle (Cirsium acaule). The stem is mostly violet at the tip, richly powdery and glandular. Usually more than 15 blue-violet scale leaves are formed.

Wormwood broomrape (Phelipanche arenaria) is, sadly, an endangered species. This low-growing species was given the name "sand broomrape" for the sandy habitats where it is found. If you are fortunate enough to locate this plant, you will recognize it by its unusual pale brown stems and delicate lavender flowers.