Orobanche hederae


Orobanche hederae, the ivy broomrape, is, like other members of the genus Orobanche, a parasitic plant without chlorophyll, and thus totally dependent on its host, which is ivy. It grows to, with stems in shades of brown and purple, sometimes yellow. The flowers are long, cream in colour with reddish-purple veins.

Etymology

Orobanche is derived from Greek, and means 'legume strangler'. This name originates from the species Orobanche rapum-genistae, which parasitizes legumes. The name hederae means 'of ivy', in reference to its host plant, Hedera.