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Description
Aphyllon Ludovicianum, commonly known as Louisiana broomrape, is a parasitic plant belonging to the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to North America and is distributed across several states, including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The plant is a root parasite, which means it attaches itself to the roots of other plants to obtain nutrients and water.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus | Aphyllon |
Appearance
The Louisiana broomrape is a small, stemless plant that grows up to 20 cm tall. The stem is purplish-brown in color and lacks any leaves. The flowers are tubular, white or cream-colored, and grow in clusters at the top of the stem. The plant blooms from May to July and produces fruits that are capsules containing numerous tiny black seeds.
Care Guide
The Louisiana broomrape is a parasitic plant that does not require any care. However, it is important to note that the plant is endangered and should not be disturbed in the wild. It is illegal to collect or remove the plant from its natural habitat.
Water
Since the plant is a parasite, it obtains water from the host plant it attaches to and does not require any additional watering.
Fertilization
The Louisiana broomrape does not require any fertilization as it obtains all its nutrients from the host plant.
Soil
The plant does not require any soil as it attaches to the roots of other plants.
Sunlight
The Louisiana broomrape grows in partial to full shade and does not require any direct sunlight.
Hardiness Zones
The plant is native to North America and can grow in hardiness zones 6a to 9b.
Common Pests & Diseases
Since the Louisiana broomrape is a parasitic plant, it does not have any pests or diseases of its own. However, it can affect the growth and health of the host plant it attaches to.
Habitat
The Louisiana broomrape is native to North America and is found in several states, including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The plant grows in woodlands, prairies, and along roadsides, and attaches itself to the roots of other plants, particularly grasses and sedges.
Question and Answer
Q: Is the Louisiana broomrape an endangered plant?
A: Yes, the Louisiana broomrape is an endangered plant and should not be disturbed in the wild.
Q: Can the Louisiana broomrape grow without attaching to a host plant?
A: No, the plant is a root parasite and requires a host plant to obtain nutrients and water.
Q: What is the blooming season of the Louisiana broomrape?
A: The plant blooms from May to July.
Q: Can the Louisiana broomrape be grown as an ornamental plant?
A: No, the plant is endangered and should not be grown as an ornamental plant.
Related Plants
- Aphyllon fasciculatum
- Aphyllon uniflorum
- Aphyllon purpureum
- Aphyllon californicum
References
- “Aphyllon Ludovicianum – (Michx.)Benth”. Plants Database. USDA. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- “Aphyllon Ludovicianum”. The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- “Aphyllon Ludovicianum”. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
