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Orobanche sp
Orobanche (broomrape or broom-rape) is a genus of over 200 species of parasitic herbaceous plants in the family Orobanchaceae. Some 30 - 50 cm in height, these ones (I think they are O. caryophyllacea, or Bedstarw broomrape) grew in group, growing pretty densely together - I have never seen that many in the same place. It lacks chlorophyll, and is predominantly yellow-brown in color, all over (stem and flowers), tinged purple - at the first glance it may appear as dry and dead plant.
Shady habitat, under shrubs, in arboretum on Mediterranean coast.
Representatives of this family don't produce chlorophyll and are totally dependent on other plants for nutrients. Their seeds can remain dormant in the soil, often for many years, until stimulated to germinate by certain compounds produced by living plant roots. Their do not grow real roots, but attach their root-like appendices to the roots of hosts, and robs its host of water and nutrients.
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