Orobanche ludoviciana
Plant species in the broomrape family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orobanche ludoviciana, the Louisiana broomrape[2] or prairie broom-rape, is a species of plant in the family Orobanchaceae.[3] It was first described and named by Thomas Nuttall in 1818.[4]
| Orobanche ludoviciana | |
|---|---|
| |
| In Dillberry Lake Provincial Park | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus: | Orobanche |
| Species: | O. ludoviciana |
| Binomial name | |
| Orobanche ludoviciana | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
List
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This species is parasitic on neighboring plants via its roots; common host species include gumweed and wormwoods, though some other Asteraceae are also used.[4] They grow from 1-3 dm often without branches.[4] Leaves are scales and numerous. The inflorescences are many-flowered spikes that occupy a half to a third of the shoot. Flowers sessile or with small up to 15mm pedicels for the lower flowers. Calyx subtended by 1 or 2 bracts, which are bilabiate. Corolla is 1.5-2.5 cm and often a violet-like color. 2n=24, 48, 72, 96. It typically grows in sandy soil. It grows throughout the central plains of North America and northwest into British Columbia and Oregon.[4] Found from June through August.[5]
Taxonomy
Orobanche ludoviciana was given its scientific name by Thomas Nuttall in 1818. It is part of the genus Orobanche in the family Orobanchaceae. According to Plants of the World Online it has nine synonyms.[1]
| Name | Year | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aphyllon arenosum Suksd. | 1906 | species | = het. |
| Aphyllon ludovicianum (Nutt.) A.Gray | 1876 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Conopholis ludoviciana (Nutt.) A.Wood | 1861 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Myzorrhiza ludoviciana (Nutt.) Rydb. | 1903 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Orobanche ludoviciana f. albinea B.Boivin | 1972 | form | = het. |
| Orobanche ludoviciana var. arenosa (Suksd.) Cronquist | 1959 | variety | = het. |
| Orobanche ludoviciana var. genuina Beck | 1890 | variety | ≡ hom., not validly publ. |
| Orobanche multiflora var. arenosa (Suksd.) Munz | 1930 | variety | = het. |
| Phelypaea ludoviciana (Nutt.) G.Don | 1838 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym | |||
Conservation
As of 2025 NatureServe has not evaluated Orobanche ludoviciana at the global level. It is presumed to be extripated, locally extinct, in Iowa and possibly extripated from West Virginia. It is rated as critically imperiled in Missouri and Wisconsin.[6]