ivy broomrape
Orobanche hederae
This plant contains absolutely no chlorophyll; it is entirely dependent on its host ivy for survival, acting as a true botanical vampire.
- Scientific name
- Orobanche hederae
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Lamiales › Orobanchaceae › Orobanche
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous woodlands, ivy-covered banks, hedgerows, and urban gardens.
- Diet
- Parasitic (heterotrophic); siphons water and nutrients directly from the roots of Ivy (Hedera species).
- Range
- Western Europe, Mediterranean Basin, British Isles
- Size
- 10 to 60 cm tall.
- Lifespan
- 1-3 years (annual to short-lived perennial, tied to host vitality).
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Removal of host ivy plants, habitat clearance, and urban development.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This parasitic plant is entirely non-toxic and safe to observe at any distance. Do not pull it up, as it is a fascinating and natural part of the ecosystem. No special action is needed if touched, though washing hands after handling wild plants is always good practice.
Orobanche hederae , known as 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 60 cm (2 ft), with stems in shades of brown and purple, sometimes yellow. The flowers are 10–22 mm (0.4–0.9 in) long, cream in colour with reddish-purple veins.
Photo: Saskia, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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