Etymology: Orobanche: from Greek orobos, a kind of vetch, and anchone, "choke or strangle" because of a parasitic habit, this was the Greek name of a plant that was parasitic on vetch
Plants: erect, annual, 2"-8" tall forb; stems all or mostly underground; parasitic on many types of plants
Leaves: few, overlapping, scale-like
Flowers: purple to white, 5-parted, 3/4" long, with 5 almost equal lobes, stalk longer than the flower and much longer than the stem; usually solitary; blooms May-June
Habitat: moist; woods, streambanks
Conservation Status: Special Concern

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = UPL WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin listed species including state and federal status, photos, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources: Rare Species Guide; description, conservation, photos, maps, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"