i6o THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



name Broom Rape is a translation of Rapum genistcr, 

 an early specific name for this plant, and meaning 

 much the same as Orobanche. 



Where leguminous plants grow the Greater Broom 

 Rape is also to be found. It occurs in all parts of 

 the British Isles, and also in the Channel Islands. 



Being parasitical upon the roots of Broom and 

 Furze this species is largely ericetal, found on sandy 

 soil, and on heaths or in dry places. 



In colour the plant is pale yellow or brown, 

 turning purplish-brown. The stem is stout, simple, 

 thicker below. The scales are lance-shaped, shorter 

 and broader below. 



The flowers form a dense spike, borne on a scape, 

 with bracts (one to each flower) as long as, or longer 

 than, the corolla. There are two sepals, which are 

 one- to three-veined, as long as the corolla, entire or 

 two-fid, and lance-shaped. The corolla is bell- 

 shaped, yellow, and purple, the tube swollen below 

 in front, curved on the back, as long as broad, with 

 an oblique limb. The lower lip is three-fid, the 

 middle lobe longer than the lateral lobes, each with 

 a few small teeth, and wavy ; and the upper lip is 

 hollow, entire, or has two short lobes, with spreading 

 sides. The stigma is yellow. The style is glandular, 

 downy. The anther-stalks are smooth below, and 

 have glandular hairs above, the stamens being 

 inserted at the base of the corolla. The capsule is 

 two-valved. The seeds are small. 



The Greater Broom Rape is 1-3 ft. in height, 



