European broomrapes: how to ask for an identification

Often broomrapes are really challenging as far as their identification is concerned because many related taxa share high similarities as well as they are often highly variable.
This is a brief guide that could allow an easier identification.

NB: Broomrapes are usually difficult to identify, especially by photos. Avoid to post a single photo taken from above as with just this kind of photo it is not possible to see the shape of the corolla and that of the calyx or the possible host.
If you do not have available a little time to photograph them properly just do not expect an identification.
Example of photos that do not allow a reliable identification:
https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/132975653/original.jpeg?1622496952

1) Species growing in their proximity. Broomrapes are obligate parasite that feed on other plants and it is known that certain species of broomrapes feed only on certain hosts. Thus, it is important to know which are the species that grow in their proximity since they could be the host.

2) Habit: it is important to observe the whole plant because the inflorescence:stem ratio may be diagnostic. Some species often show branched stem. Some species usually grow as dense clusters, some others are more aften found as single stems.

3) Stem: it can be either stout or thinner.

4) Leaves: they are scale-like and their shape and density can be sometimes useful for the identification.

5.1) Inflorescence shape: it can be either dense or with sparse flowers. Inflorescence apex can be either pointed or more or less rounded and sometimes, due to the presence of lonf bracts, it has a comose appearance.

5.2) Orientation of flowers: it can be either spreading or erecto-patent ot more or less directed upwards.

6.1) Bracts: they can be either longer or shorter than corolla as well as either lanceolate or narrower and more or less linear. In Boulardia latisquama they are particularly large.

6.2) Bracteoles: the genus Phelipanche is characterized by the presence of a pair of narrow bracteoles which are lacking in Orobanche sensu stricto and Boulardia.

7) Calyx: it is often divided up to the base but in few cases it is entire at base and more or less tubular. It has one or to (exceptionally more) laciniae at each side. The ratio corolla:calyx is often diagnostic. Also the shape of the calyx laciniae is often important since they can be either narrowly triangular or even narrower and subulate.

8) Corolla. Diagnostic features:

  • length (to be measured with millimeter paper)
  • upper outline (more or less straight or curved) to be observed from the side
  • enlarged at base, with a constriction in the middle, enlarged at apex, narrower close to the apex to be observed from top view
  • base: straight, geniculate (bent in lower third) or gradually curved
  • outline of the apex: with pointing forward lobes or campanulate to be observed from the side and from top view
  • upper lip: pointing forward or upward; entire or emarginate, with entire margin or dentate
  • lower lip: pointing forward or downward; with entire margin or dentate, with central lobes larger than the lateral ones or more or less all alike

9) Stigma: sometimes stigma color may be helpful as well as if it is well exerted from corolla gorge

10) Stamens. Diagnostic feature such as the point of attachment at corolla is to be measure from corolla base

11) Hairiness: the kind of hairiness must be observed with attentionj of every part of the plant (e. g. Orobanche pubescens is rather easily distinguished from the related species for the presence of very long hairs on corolla upper side)

12) Color: also the color of varius parts of the plant must be observed even though broomrapes often show high variability. Anyway, there are species that are never, for example, yellow or other species that always have a blue corolla.

NB: broomrapes that have dried out are extremely difficult to be identified

Posted on January 30, 2019 10:36 PM by blue_celery blue_celery

Comments

Thanks for these guidelines!

Posted by markegger about 5 years ago

you're welcome

Posted by blue_celery about 5 years ago

That's very interesting, thanks for those tips!

Posted by guillaume_papuga about 5 years ago

you're welcome

Posted by blue_celery about 5 years ago

This is excellent! I will be more careful to record more details when next I encounter these plants.

Posted by dr_mdjohnson almost 5 years ago

hello blue, you're right. Thank you also for this card.
Marco

Posted by naturalista1989 almost 4 years ago

Nice!

Posted by jasonrgrant almost 4 years ago

great guide and has lots of explanations, but I am afraid that without some drawings I will not be able to remember all these details.
I will for sure try to mention the plants around and also if there is only one or several, etc.

Posted by castieler almost 4 years ago

You can print a pdf copy of his page and take it in the phone

Posted by blue_celery almost 4 years ago

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