Cancer root, Clustered broomrape
Orobanche fasciculata

Family: Orobanchaceae

What it is like

A parasitic plant that grows attached to the roots of other plants especially the daisy family. It has a thick root and one or more stems. These are erect and 20 cm tall. It lacks leaves and chlorophyll and gets its nutrients from the other plant. There are up to 20 flowers in a group. The flowers are tube shaped and up to 3 cm long. They are yellow or purple.

There are about 140 Orobanche species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The stems are eaten raw or boiled.

Edible parts

Stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Anoplanthus fasciculatus (Nutt.) Walp.; Anoplon fasciculatum (Nutt.) G. Don; Aphyllon fasciculatum (Nutt.) Torr. & A. Gray; Gymnocaulis fasciculata (Nutt.) Nutt.; Loxanthes fasciculata (Nutt.) Raf.; Loxanthes fasciculatus (Nutt.) Raf.; Phelypaea fasciculata (Nutt.) Spreng.; Phelypaea lutea Parry; Thalesia fasciculata (Nutt.) Britton;