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