Naked Broomrape, One-flowered Broomrape, Purple Broomrape
Aphyllon purpureum
Synonyms: Orobanche poryphyrantha, Orobanche sedi, Orobanche uniflora ssp. occidentalis, Orobanche uniflora var. minuta, Orobanche uniflora var. occidentalis, Orobanche uniflora var. purpurea, Orobanche uniflora var. sedi
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A mass of naked broomrape (var. purpurea) as seen at left at Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge..........April 9, 2009. In this case, the basal leaves of their host plants (Saxifraga integrifolia) can be seen scattered amongst the stems of the naked broomrape. The photo at right shows naked broomrape with leaves of a possible host, a prairiestar (Lithophragma sp.) at its base. Seen at Catherine Creek, Columiba River Gorge.....March 17, 2021.
The photo at right shows a close-up frontal view of the corolla of naked broomrape (var. purpurea). Note the numerous gland-tipped hairs on the inner surface of each corolla lobe.
Characteristics:
Naked broomrape is an attractive perennial wildflower with single,erect
floral pedicels from 5-15 cm high. The main stem is 0.5-2 cm long and is typically
buried under the soil. The herbage is typically finely glandular-hairy.
The inflorescence consists of 1-3 flowers on long pedicels.
The calyx is 6-12 mm long with the calyx tube from 2-4 mm long and the subequal
lobes from 4-9 mm long. The corolla is 15-25 mm long and yellowish to purplish
in color. The tube is curved with the lobes measuring 2-7 mm long with rounded,
finely fringed tips. The anthers are 0.9-12 mm long, ranging from glabrous to
woolly-pubescent.
Naked broomrape is parasitic on many saxifrages, sedums and
members of the Asteraceae.
Former Varieties of Naked Broomrape:
variety occidentalis: Flowers yellow to purplish with
the throat not much expanded. Limb is small and does not expand much. The corolla
measures 1.5-2.5 cm long. The anthers are glabrous.
variety purpurea: Flowers purplish with the throat
fairly expanded and spreading. The limb is large and expands widely. The corolla
measures 2-3.5 cm long. The anthers are woolly.
Habitat:
Naked broomrape may be found in open, moist grasslands or occasionally
in moist woodlands from the lowlands to moderate elevations in the mountains.
Range:
Naked broomrape may be found from the Yukon south to southern
California and east to Newfoundland and hence south to Florida.
In the Columbia River Gorge it may be found between the elevations
of 100'-3000' between Stevenson, WA and Biggs, OR.
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Naked broomrape (var. purpurea) with its wide throat and hairy anthers as seen along the Memaloose Trail east of Mosier, OR........April 21, 2017.
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Additional close-ups of naked broomrape (var. purpurea) as seen with northwestern saxifrage (Saxifraga integrifolia var. claytoniifolia) in moist meadows along Rattlesnake Creek, near Rattlesnake Falls, Klickitat County, WA..........May 28, 2011.
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Close-up images of the internal flower parts of naked broomrape (var. purpurea) as seen at Catherine Creek.........April 19, 2017.
A nice, variegated bloom of naked broomrape (var. occidentalis) as seen in the Columbia Hills State Park east of Eightmile Creek.........April 14, 2013.
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Early blooming naked broomrape as seen at Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge.........March 3, 2015.
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Naked broomrape blooming on one of the mossy benches at Mitchell Point, several miles west of Hood River, Oregon...........April 19, 2015.
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Naked broomrape in bloom along Minor Creek (the small creek between Catherine Creek and Major Creek), Columbia River Gorge......March 25, 2022.
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Naked broomrape found at left on a vernally moist bench above Interstate 84 about one-half mile west of the Twin Tunnels, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area..........April 4, 2015. The photo at right shows naked broomrapes blooming and associated with saxifrages at a seep on a basalt road cut along the old Haul Road just north of Klickitat, WA......April 29, 2022.
Photo above of Orobanche uniflora var. purpurea with one of its hosts, Saxifraga integrifolia var. integrifolia at Catherine Creek, Columbia Gorge Scenic Area.......March 30, 1991.
Paul Slichter