Orobanche ludoviciana - Broom Rape

Family:	Orobanchaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Synonyms:
Range:	N. America - Illinois to South Dakota, Saskatchewan, Nebraska, Texas, Arizona and California.

Orobanche ludoviciana (Broom Rape) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m . 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

Broom Rape 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
Broom Rape prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Broom Rape can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Grows on sandy soils[235] on the plains where it is parasitic on the roots of Ambrosia spp and other members of the Compositae[43]. It is found below 1200m in California[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
Root - roasted[46, 61, 105, 161]. Stem[46, 61, 105]. Base of young stems roasted[257].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The chewed plant has been used as a dressing on wounds[257]. A poultice of the stems has been used in the treatment of ulcerated sores[257].

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

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