Hairy Broomrape

Description:

Parasitic perennial plant in the family Orobanchanceae. Usually parasitizes on Astreraceae and Apiaceae species. Hairy stem and petals. Flowers purple and white. Unable to produce chlorophyll and therefore cannot photosynthesize. It relies completely on its host plant for nutrients. Broomrape seeds can sit in the soil for many years; their germination is triggered by certain natural chemicals that are created by a nearby living root. The seed becomes aware that a potential host is nearby and then it germinates and latches on.

Habitat:

Spotted near Glebionis coronaria and Thapsia garganica plants, in the little valley between Pnyx and Aeropagus, north-west of the Acropolis of Athens.

Notes:

General distribution: Mediterranean, Balkans-Asia Minor, Armenia-Kurdistan. Greek name: Οροβάγχη η χνουδωτή. Greek common names: Λϋκος [wolf], Αγριόλυκος [Wild Wolf].