Louisiana broomrape (Aphyllon ludovicianum)
Description
Orobanche ludoviciana (common name Louisiana broomrape or prairie broom-rape) is part of the family Orobanchaceae. This parasitic plant is not specific, but especially favors Artemisia and Asteraceae. They grow from 1-3 dm often without branches. Leaves are scales and numerous. The inflorescences are many-flowered spikes that occupy a half to a third of the shoot. Flowers sessile or with small up to 15mm pedicels for the lower flowers. Calyx subtended by 1 or 2 bracts, which are bilabiate. Corolla is 1.5-2.5 cm and often a violet-like color. 2n=24, 48, 72, 96. Inhabits sandy soil. Found in Illinois and Indiana, as well as Saskatchewan to Texas, and west to California and northern Mexico. Found from June through August. Enlisted as endangered in Wisconsin and threatened in Illinois and Indiana.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Lamiales
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Family: Orobanchaceae
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Genus: Aphyllon
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