67.) OROBANCHACEAE - Broomrape family - Pages

67.) OROBANCHACEAE - Broomrape family

OROBANCHACEAE - Broomrape family

MELAMPYRUM L.

Melampyrum pratense L. (Common Cow-wheat) - Woodland Very Rare Formerly widespread and locally frequent in dry open acidic ancient woodland but has suffered catastrophic decline in recent years. Only recently recorded consistently to the east of Bristol, on the Hanham side of the River Avon. First recorded at St Anne's Wood, Brislington in 1834 by Bristol antiquarian G.W. Braikenridge.

[I remember S. Waycott telling me he found it recently in the Frome Valley.]

ssp. pratense The nominate plant of acidic soils with the uppermost leaves slender Found in woodland on acidic soils. Only recently recorded from Hanham Woods and From Valley. Historical records of M. sylvaticum regarded as errors may have been referable to var. hians with uniformly deep yellow corollas, lacking purple marks.
ssp. latifolium Schübl. & G. Martens - Brist. Fl. - not accepted by Stace but is by Kew. Woodland Extinct "The broad-leaved form (var. latifolium...) was gathered near Yatton in 1892 by Mrs. Gregory." (White, 1912).
ssp. commutatum (Tausch ex A. Kern.) C.E. Britton. Woodland Extinct Found on limestone soils and has less slender uppermost leaves. Historically recorded from ST47 pre-1930s by ? [BSBI record]. Other historical records from calcareous districts were probably this.

EUPHRASIA L.

[Produce an agg. map.]

Euphrasia officinalis L.
ssp. pratensis (Fr.) Schübl. & G. Martens (E. rostkoviana Hayne) (Rostkov's Eyebright - Stace, Large-flowered Sticky Eyebright - NBN) Grassland Extinct Recorded on Wavering Down in 1986 by S.M. Hedley.
ssp. anglica (Pugsley) Silverside (English Eyebright - Stace, English Sticky Eyebright - NBN) /- Grassland Very Rare Confined to the southern border of our region at Burrington Common [BSBI records].

[Also record of E. officinalis agg first 1977 16/06/1977 ST344567 South Hill, Bleadon Mendip Ecological Survey recorder - - 4180 - probably generic Euphrasia]

Euphrasia arctica Lange ex Rostrup ssp. borealis (F. Towns.) Yeo (Arctic Eyebright) - [Brist. Fl. as E. brevipila] Grassland Very Rare Thousands of plants were found in grassland along a disused railway line at Dunkerton, North Somerset in 2015 by H.J. Crouch; and recorded at Hutton Hill in 2025 by D. Hawkins. First recorded in our region on the coast between Portishead and Clevedon, North Somerset and on a roadside near Failand Inn in 1920 by C.I. Sandwith.

[David's record in SRPG Newsletter 2025, p. 56. (as E. arctica)]

Euphrasia arctica ssp. borealis x E. nemorosa (Arctic x Common Eyebright) - [Brist. Fl. as E. nemorosa x borealis] Grassland Extinct Found in a "Rough pasture on Failand, with the parents; Miss Roper." (White, 1912).
Euphrasia tetraquetra (Bréb.) Arrond. (Western Eyebright) Grassland Rare Sporadically distributed; predominantly in the south-western portion of our region. First recorded in our region near Failand Inn, North Somerset in 1920 by C.I. Sandwith.
Euphrasia nemorosa (Pers.) Wallr. (Common Eyebright) / Grassland Scarce The most frequent Eyebright in our region; scattered and locally common in short open grassland, sometimes numbering in the thousands.
Euphrasia nemorosa x E. confusa (Common x Confused Eyebright) - BSBI records Grassland Very Rare Recorded at ST46X in 2010s by ? and at ST47G in 2010s by ? [BSBI records]. Also historical records from ST36 pre 1930s by ?; and ST65T in 1950s by ?.
Euphrasia pseudokerneri Pugsley (Chalk Eyebright) - 2 records according to NBN [see file:///C:/Users/Dylan/Downloads/Euphrasia-pseudokerneri-2020-03-19.pdf] Grassland Extinct Recorded on the Downs in 1988 by C. & M.A.R. Kitchen and at Banner Down, BANES in 2015 by H.J. Crouch. Also historically recorded at ST77F in 1950s by ? [BSBI record].
Euphrasia confusa Pugsley (Confused Eyebright - Stace, Little Kneeling Eyebright - NBN) Grassland Very Rare Recorded recently from Burrington Common; at ST36I in 2010s by ?; Banner Down in 2010s by ? [BSBI records]. Historically also recorded from the Avon Gorge.

ODONTITES Ludw.

Odontites vernus (Bellardi) (Red Bartsia) / Grassland Frequent Frequent in disturbed grassy places such as along tracks, road verges, hay meadows, old quarries and horse paddocks.
ssp. vernus Grassland Very Rare The nominate but rarer subspecies with us. Found on lighter usually more acidic soils in arable fields and disturbed settings. It differs in its earlier flowering and less branched habit.
ssp. serotinus (Syme) Corb. Grassland Frequent The frequent plant of grassland and open woodland tracks; predominantly on heavy clay soils. Flowering from July onwards. More branched and the branches held at a wider angle from the stem. "A very pretty white-flowered form is persistent and rather plentiful on a grassy roadside about a mile beyond the Downend Cemetery, G. First noticed by Mr. H. J. Wadlow in 1908." (White, 1918).
Bartsia alpina L. (Alpine Bartsia) General Extinct Recorded at Locking, North Somerset in 1999 by ?

[Certainly a mistake for Red Bartsia.]

BELLARDIA All.

Bellardia trixago (L.) All. (Mediterranean Lineseed) - [Sandwith, 1932 as Bartsia trixago, Glos. Fl.] General Extinct A native of the Mediterranean and North Africa; recorded at St Philip's Marsh in 1916 by M. Cobbe.

PARENTUCELLIA Viv.

Parentucellia viscosa (L.) Caruel (Yellow Bartsia) General Extinct A native to Britain but not in our area. Recorded on Durdham Down in 1948 by C.I. Sandwith; at ST78 in 1970s by ?; and most recently at ST57D in 2000s by ? [BSBI records].

RHINANTHUS L.

Rhinanthus minor L. (Yellow-rattle) / Grassland Locally frequent in hay meadows and species-rich pastures. Also commonly used in 'wildflower' seed mixes and promoted for it's semi-parasitic abilities in weakening grasses and allowing other more delicate species to thrive. It has declined greatly from what it was in White's day, when it was almost considered a pestilent weed in grazing pastures.
ssp. minor Grassland Uncommon The nominate subspecies with the same range and distribution as the species.
ssp. stenophyllus O. Schwarz / Grassland Very Rare Differs from ssp. minor in it's taller, more branched and upright growing habit and its later flowering - coming into peak in around late June and July when the latter has died down. First recorded from "Compton Greenfield; and Yate Lower Common; Miss Roper: naming confirmed by Mr. Marshall." (White, 1918). Recently discovered from Uphill in 2023 by D. Peters and R.D. Randall, growing amongst ssp. minor. Due to their later flowering period the two can grow side by side without interference from one another. It is likely to be overlooked.

PEDICULARIS L.

Pedicularis palustris L. (Marsh Lousewort) 1912 Wetland Extinct Historically occurred at "Filton Meads; Swete, Fl. Now lost. Downhead Common, 1892...Claverton Wood; Dr. Davis in Fl. Bathon." (White, 1912).
Pedicularis sylvatica L. ssp. sylvatica (Lousewort) - Grassland Rare Very sporadicly distributed in acidic grassland and fen meadows. Formerly more frequent.

LATHRAEA L.

Lathraea squamaria L. (Toothwort) / Woodland Scarce A scarce species of ancient woodland, wooded banks of streams and occasionally on hedgebanks; parasitising a range of tree species but predominantly Hazel.
Lathraea clandestina L. (Purple Toothwort) - Woodland Very Rare A naturalised introduction of woodland besides water courses. Long known from Sea Mills. Also recorded besides the Hazel Brook and Blaise Castle Estate and recently at Lower Weston, Bath where it was discovered in 1993 by R.J. Higgins.

OROBANCHE L.

also Orobanche caryophyllacea

Orobanche rapum-genistae Thuill. (Greater Broomrape) - General Very Rare Only recorded once since the turn of the century - from Highbury Hill in 2008 by H.J. Crouch

4 records 1986 24/06/1986 ST632581 Highbury Hill Woodman Mr. J.P. Julian 415 1992 08/05/1992 ST632582 Long Lands Avon Flora Project 2389 1992 16/08/1992 ST639622 Chelwood (North) Kitchen, Mr M.&.Mrs. 2008 24/01/2008 ST63285811 Highbury Hill, north, comments may have more precise location details. Location is as given to BRERC as part of large dataset Crouch Dr Helena J 1568

Orobanche elatior Sutton (Knapweed Broomrape) - Grassland Very Rare Very rare considering its host plant is so abundant. Found recently at Hellenge Hill in 2010 by SRPG and near Bath by S. Harding.

6 records 1984 08/07/1984 ST794880 Upper Kilcott Jepson - P 9431 1988 29/06/1988 ST601750 Eastville Hambler, Dr D.J. 1989 27/06/1989 ST349573 Hellenge Hill McDonnell, Mrs E. 1989 27/06/1989 ST350573 Bleadon Hill (Poultry Houses) McDonnell, Mrs E. 2010 11/07/2010 ST3457 Hellenge Hill. Location is as given to BRERC as part of large dataset Somerset Rare Plants Group - - 3687 2010 11/07/2010 ST349572 Hellenge Hill. Location is as given to BRERC as part of large dataset Somerset Rare Plants Group - - 3687

Simon Harding record of Knapweed Broomrape near Bath

Orobanche crenata (Bean Broomrape) recorded in the past at St Philip's Marsh in 1905 as O. speciosa - Brist. Fl. General Extinct "Three plants on vetches in St. Philip's Marsh, 1905." (White, 1912 [as O. speciosa]).
Orobanche ramosa (Hemp Broomrape) recorded in the past at St Philip's Marsh in 1905, 1907 and 1909 - Brist. Fl. and 1915 Glos. Fl. General Extinct Recorded at "St. Philip's, Bristol; one plant in waste ground on vetches, June, 1905. About a dozen there in 1907, and as many in 1909,apparently on Melilotus." (White, 1912). And "Still on rubbish in St. Philip's Marsh, 1915...Lady Davy." (White, 1918).
Orobanche hederae Duby (Ivy Broomrape) / General Uncommon Has become increasingly frequent in recent years perhaps as a result of climate change. Traditionally confined to more coastal parts but can now be seen across the region and is particularly frequent around Bristol where nearly every patch of Ivy results in the finding of this species. Traditionally believed to only host Helix hibernica but it just as frequently utilises H. helix and even other species of Ivy. Peculiarly, plants hosting on cultivated Eryngium have also been found in a landscaped area at Bristol by F.J. Rumsey.
f. minor The typical form though extremely variable both in size and colour, probably largely dependent on the vigor and type of the host. The typical plant is purplish and relatively slender in appearance but robust plants also occur and yellowish forms grow around the Avon Gorge.
f. monochroa (Ivy Broomrape) - Tyntesfield, 2025, Paul Harrington see Facebook along with other records in the vicinity A yellow form. Possibly a naturalised introduction. Found at Tyntesfield. Found besides the River Frome at Eastville Park in 2026 during a BNS meeting.
Orobanche minor Sm. (Common Broomrape) / Grassland Uncommon Found in species-rich grassland, particularly in hay meadows where it hosts predominantly on Red Clover.
ssp. minor var. minor Grassland Uncommon The nominate form with the same range and distribution as the species.
ssp. minor var. heliophila Thorogood & Rumsey (Brachyglottis Broomrape) General Very Rare Recorded on Senecio greyii cv Sunshine in a "flower bed of 'The Laurels' nursing home on Brockway, Nailsea in 2007 by T. Smith. At the time this variety was not described but it is clear from the description that the record belongs to this.

[Terry Smith's record is in Nature in Avon 2007 'Some botanical curiosities in Nailsea'.]

List:

Melampyrum pratense L. (ssp. pratense? - Stace) (Common Cow-wheat) - Woodland
Melampyrum pratense L. ssp. latifolium Schübl. & G. Martens (Common Cow-wheat) - [Yatton, 1892, Mrs. Gregory - Brist. Fl.] - not accepted by Stace but is by Kew.
Melampyrum pratense L. ssp. commutatum (Tausch ex A. Kern.) C.E. Britton. var. commutatum (Common Cow-wheat)
Euphrasia officinalis L. ssp. pratensis (Fr.) Schübl. & G. Martens (Stace) Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne (Rostkov's Eyebright - Stace, Large-flowered Sticky Eyebright - NBN) Grassland
Euphrasia officinalis L. ssp. anglica (Pugsley) Silverside (English Eyebright - Stace, English Sticky Eyebright - NBN) /- Grassland
Euphrasia arctica Lange ex Rostrup ssp. borealis (F. Towns.) Yeo (Arctic Eyebright) - [Brist. Fl. as E. brevipila] (also recorded at Hutton Hill in 2025 by D. Hawkins (as E. arctica) - SRPG Newsletter 2025, p. 56.) Grassland
Euphrasia arctica ssp. borealis x E. nemorosa (Arctic x Common Eyebright) - [Brist. Fl. as E. nemorosa x borealis] Grassland
Euphrasia tetraquetra (Bréb.) Arrond. (Western Eyebright) Grassland
Euphrasia nemorosa (Pers.) Wallr. (Common Eyebright) / Grassland
Euphrasia nemorosa x E. confusa (Common x Confused Eyebright) - BSBI records Grassland
Euphrasia pseudokerneri Pugsley (Chalk Eyebright) - 2 records according to NBN [see file:///C:/Users/Dylan/Downloads/Euphrasia-pseudokerneri-2020-03-19.pdf] Grassland
Euphrasia confusa Pugsley (Confused Eyebright - Stace, Little Kneeling Eyebright - NBN) Grassland
Odontites vernus (Bellardi) (ssp. serotinus (Syme) Corb. and ssp. vernus) (Red Bartsia) / Grassland
Bellardia trixago (L.) All. (Mediterranean Lineseed - GBIF) - [Sandwith, 1932 as Bartsia trixago, Glos. Fl.]
Parentucellia viscosa (L.) Caruel (Yellow Bartsia) General
Rhinanthus minor L. (ssp. minor) (Yellow-rattle) / Grassland
Rhinanthus minor L. ssp. stenophyllus O. Schwarz (Yellow-rattle) / Grassland
Pedicularis palustris L. (Marsh Lousewort) 1912 Wetland
Pedicularis sylvatica L. ssp. sylvatica (Lousewort) - Grassland
Lathraea squamaria L. (Toothwort) / Woodland
Lathraea clandestina L. (Purple Toothwort) - Woodland
Orobanche rapum-genistae Thuill. (Greater Broomrape) - General
Orobanche elatior Sutton (Knapweed Broomrape) - Grassland
Orobanche crenata (Bean Broomrape) recorded in the past at St Philip's Marsh in 1905 as O. speciosa - Brist. Fl. General
Orobanche ramosa (Hemp Broomrape) recorded in the past at St Philip's Marsh in 1905, 1907 and 1909 - Brist. Fl. and 1915 Glos. Fl. General
Orobanche hederae Duby (Ivy Broomrape) / General
Orobanche hederae f. monochroa (Ivy Broomrape) - Tyntesfield, 2025, Paul Harrington see Facebook along with other records in the vicinity
Orobanche minor Sm. (ssp. minor var. minor - Stace) (Common Broomrape) / Grassland
Orobanche minor ssp. minor var. heliophila Thorogood & Rumsey (Brachyglottis Broomrape) - on Senecio greyii cv Sunshine - "flower bed of 'The Laurels' nursing home on Brockway - Terry Smith, 2007 - Some botanical curiosities in Nailsea - BNS Nature in Avon.

Species to add:

Melampyrum pratense L. ssp. latifolium Schübl. & G. Martens (Common Cow-wheat) - [Yatton, 1892, Mrs. Gregory - Brist. Fl.] - not accepted by Stace but is by Kew. /
Melampyrum pratense L. ssp. commutatum (Tausch ex A. Kern.) C.E. Britton. var. commutatum (Common Cow-wheat) /
Euphrasia officinalis L. ssp. anglica (Pugsley) Silverside (English Eyebright - Stace, English Sticky Eyebright - NBN) /- /
Euphrasia arctica Lange ex Rostrup ssp. borealis (F. Towns.) Yeo (Arctic Eyebright) - [Brist. Fl. as E. brevipila] (also recorded at Hutton Hill in 2025 by D. Hawkins (as E. arctica) - SRPG Newsletter 2025, p. 56.) /
Euphrasia nemorosa x E. confusa (Common x Confused Eyebright) - BSBI records /
Euphrasia pseudokerneri Pugsley (Chalk Eyebright) - 2 records according to NBN [see file:///C:/Users/Dylan/Downloads/Euphrasia-pseudokerneri-2020-03-19.pdf] /
Euphrasia arctica ssp. borealis x E. nemorosa (Arctic x Common Eyebright) - [Brist. Fl. as E. nemorosa x borealis] /
Bellardia trixago (L.) All. (Mediterranean Lineseed - GBIF) - [Sandwith, 1932 as Bartsia trixago, Glos. Fl.] /
Parentucellia viscosa (L.) Caruel (Yellow Bartsia) /
Rhinanthus minor L. ssp. stenophyllus O. Schwarz (Yellow-rattle) /
Orobanche crenata (Bean Broomrape) recorded in the past at St Philip's Marsh in 1905 as O. speciosa - Brist. Fl. /
Orobanche ramosa (Hemp Broomrape) recorded in the past at St Philip's Marsh in 1905, 1907 and 1909 - Brist. Fl. and 1915 Glos. Fl. /
Orobanche hederae f. monochroa (Ivy Broomrape) - Tyntesfield, 2025, Paul Harrington see Facebook along with other records in the vicinity /
Orobanche minor ssp. minor var. heliophila Thorogood & Rumsey (Brachyglottis Broomrape) - on Senecio greyii cv Sunshine - "flower bed of 'The Laurels' nursing home on Brockway - Terry Smith, 2007 - Some botanical curiosities in Nailsea - BNS Nature in Avon. /

Species which need checking

E. stricta = possiply E. pseudokernii E. curta E. curta var. glabrescens

Could occur:

Melampyrum pratense L. ssp. pratense var. hians Druce (Common Cow-wheat)
Euphrasia officinalis L. [ssp. pratensis (Fr.) Schübl. & G. Martens] x E. nemorosa = E. x glanduligera Wettst. (Rostkov's x Common Eyebright)
Euphrasia officinalis L. [ssp. pratensis (Fr.) Schübl. & G. Martens] x E. pseudokerneri Pugsley (Rostkov's x Chalk Eyebright)
Rhinanthus minor L. ssp. calcareus (Wilmott) E.F. Warb. (Yellow-rattle)