Desert broomrape, Cooper's broomrape
Orobanche cooperi

Family: Orobanchaceae

What it is like

A parasitic herb. It grows attached to the roots of other plants especially the daisy family. It has a thick root and a scaly twisted stem. There can then be a clump of stems 40 cm tall. It lacks leaves and chlorophyll and gets its nutrients from the other plant. It is dark purple and has hairs. There are several flowers in a group. They are tube shaped and purple. They are 3 cm long.

There are about 140 Orobanche species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows especially in desert regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are peeled and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aphyllon cooperi A. Gray; Myzorrhiza cooperi (A. Gray) Rydb.; Orobanche ludoviciana var. cooperi (A. Gray) Beck;