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Description
Phelipanche Ramosa, commonly known as branched broomrape, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced in other parts of the world. This plant is a major pest of crops such as tomatoes, sunflowers, and legumes, causing significant yield losses.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus | Phelipanche |
Appearance
Phelipanche Ramosa is a small, yellowish-brown plant that can grow up to 30 cm in height. It has a branched stem that is covered in small, scale-like leaves. The flowers of this plant are tubular and can be pink, purple, or white in color. They are arranged in dense spikes at the top of the stem and bloom from June to August.
Care Guide
Phelipanche Ramosa is a parasitic plant, meaning it gets its nutrients from other plants. As such, it does not require any special care. However, if you are growing crops that are susceptible to this plant, it is important to take preventive measures to avoid infestation. Here are some care tips:
Water: This plant does not require any extra watering as it gets its water from the host plant.
Fertilization: Phelipanche Ramosa does not require any fertilizer as it gets its nutrients from the host plant.
Soil: This plant does not require any soil as it attaches itself to the host plant’s roots.
Sunlight: This plant does not require any sunlight as it gets its energy from the host plant.
Hardiness Zones: Phelipanche Ramosa can grow in hardiness zones 6 to 9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Phelipanche Ramosa is a pest itself, and can cause significant damage to crops. It does not have any common pests or diseases.
Habitat
Phelipanche Ramosa is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, and wastelands. It is a parasitic plant that attaches itself to the roots of other plants, particularly tomatoes, sunflowers, and legumes.
Question and Answer
Q: How does Phelipanche Ramosa attach itself to host plants?
A: Phelipanche Ramosa has specialized roots called haustoria that penetrate the host plant’s roots and steal its nutrients.
Q: Can Phelipanche Ramosa be controlled?
A: Yes, preventive measures such as crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, and herbicides can be used to control this plant.
Q: Is Phelipanche Ramosa harmful to humans or animals?
A: No, this plant is not harmful to humans or animals.
Q: Can Phelipanche Ramosa be used for any beneficial purposes?
A: No, this plant has no known beneficial uses.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants in the family Orobanchaceae:
- Orobanche
- Striga
- Alectra
- Lathraea
References
- https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/38984
- https://www.gbif.org/species/3177640
- https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/pheram/all.html
