Thursday 28 April 2016

Cistanche phelypaea

Cistanche phelypaea Desert Broomrape

This unusual plant is parasitic as it lacks chlorophyll and gets it's water and nutrients from the host, normally Tamarix in Moroccan deserts. It can grow to 40cms tall and is usually found in colonies. This was photographed near Merzouga in Morocco, though it is found in southern Spain too. It flowers in the spring.


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