Orobanche fasciculata - Cancer Root

Family:	Orobanchaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America - Indiana to Yukon and British Columbia, south to California and Arizona.

Orobanche fasciculata (Cancer Root) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . 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

Cancer Root 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
Cancer Root prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Cancer Root can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Sandy soils[235], where it is parasitic on the roots of Eriogonum and Artemesia spp[43], to 3200m in California and north to British Columbia[71].

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, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts 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
The entire plant is edible - raw or cooked[46, 61, 105, 161, 257]. The plant can be boiled in ashes then peeled and eaten like potatoes[257].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is pectoral[257]. The chewed root has been used as a dressing on wounds and open sores[257]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a wash on sores[257]. Forms of the plant that are parasitic on sweet sage roots have been used as a treatment of cancer[257]. The dried and powdered plant is inserted in the rectum as a specific treatment for haemorrhoids[257].

• Antihaemorrhoidal - Treats haemorrhoids (piles). This would probably be best added to another heading.
• Cancer - Used in the treatment of cancer.
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Salve - Soothes and heals damaged skin.

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

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

A California Flora.
Munz.
Author: Munz.
Rating:
Publisher : An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1959

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.