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Knapweed Broomrape (Orobanche elatior)

Broomrapes are wholly parasitic plants - because they have no need to photosynthesise in order to meet their nutrient requirements, they have no chlorophyll. As a result, they are virtually leafless (the leaves have been reduce to a few scales down the stem) and lack any green pigment. Some are host specific, generally indicated by their English name; others are more generalists.

As its name suggests, the Knapweed Broomrape is host specific, being found on Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa), the leaves of a flowerless plant of which can be seen round the base of the Broomrape (see SU7331 : Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) for an example in flower, without attendant parasite!). The Knapweed Broomrape is a prominent plant, both in stature and colour, and a reasonable number can be found at Noar Hill.