Orobanchaceae, the broom-rape family.
Description:
Plant:
Highly branched, parasitic plant 6"-18", without leaves or chlorophyll, and spike-like clusters
of brownish- or magenta-marked flowers on brownish stems. Perennial
Flowers:
Brownish or magenta-marked, about 1/2" long, tube-like, bilateral, with upper and lower lips.
Corolla is shallowly five-lobed, and there are five highly reduced sepals.
Flowers are in a spike-like arrangement on brownish stems, actually rising from the axils
of small scales, which are vestigal leaves.
There are often reduced, bud-like flowers on the lower stem which never open,
but are self-fertilized and produce seed.
Leaves:
Absent, represented by small, triangular scales. Pattern is alternate.
Fruit:
A small, brown capsule.
Blooming:
August-October
Habitat:
Deciduous woods under beech trees.
Comments:
This native plant is parasitic on the roots of beech trees, and thus does not need leaves or
chlorophyll. The flowers, though small, have interesting markings.
Where to find it:
Common beneath beech trees in the upper woods in fall.