WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread but local below a line from the Wash to the Severn Estuary; scattered and scarce Further North. Habitat includes: sand dunes, cliffs (Var. maritima, host: Daucus carota subsp. gummifer), disturbed / cultivated places (Var. minor - often introduced with grass seed). Other names include: Hellroot, Lesser Broomrape, Small Broomrape, Clover Broomrape. Height: Up to 50 cm. Flowers: June to September. Growing habit: Parasitic Annual to Perennial. Host: Clover's (Fabaceae), Wild Carrot, members of the Asteraceae family. Chromosome No.: 2n = 38.

2 subspecies and 5 Varieties of Common Broomrape are currently recognised in the UK:

• Orobanche minor ssp. minor (3 varieties) common
  • var. minor
  • var. flava
  • var. compositarum
• Orobanche minor ssp. maritima [RR] (2 varieties)
  • var. maritima
  • var. hypochaeridis - extinct [E]