Orobanche californica - California Broomrape

Family:	Orobanchaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.12
Synonyms:
Range:	South-western N. America.

Orobanche californica (California Broomrape) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.12m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

California Broomrape will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
California Broomrape prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

California Broomrape can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Parasitic on Artemesia tridentata, growing on open slopes in foothills and valleys below 1500m[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, but judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. It requires a well-drained soil and should succeed in sun or shade. A fully parasitic plant lacking in chlorophyll, it is entirely dependant upon its host plant for obtaining nutrient[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Underground stems - raw or cooked. A succulent texture[46, 61, 105], they are very thirst quenching[161].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
A decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of colds, pneumonia and pulmonary complaints[257].

• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in a pot containing a host plant. The seed is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. It might also be possible to sow the seed in situ around a host plant.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

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