Orobanchaceae - Botanical Family

Botanical name: Cistanche sp.

Common name: Cistanche

Family: Orobanchaceae

Origin: Asia

Cistanche is a worldwide genus of holoparasitic desert plants. They lack chlorophyll and obtain nutrients and water from the host plants whose roots they parasitize.

Botanical names: Hyobanche sanguinea, Hyobanche coccinea

Common names: Snail Flower, Cat's Claw, Ink Flower

Family: Orobanchaceae

Origin: South Africa

South African endemic.

Hyobanche sanguinea is a type of holoparasite, thus meaning that unlike other plants it does not photosynthesise for its food. Instead it attaches itself to the roots of other plants, in order to draw water and nutrients from its hosts. It also doesn't have any roots. Instead it has a long fleshy organ known as a haustorium, used to attach itself to the host plant and transfer nutrients. This can grow up to two metres in length on its hunt to find an appropriate host plant.

Botanical name: Lamourouxia virgata

Common name: Lamourouxia

Family: Orobanchaceae

Origin: Central and South America

Botanical name: Rehmannia elata

Common name: Chinese Foxglove

Family: Orobanchaceae

Origin: China

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Rehmannia elata is an herbaceous perennial with veined, hairy leaves and pink, tubular flowers with darker pink stripes in summer.