886 THE BEOOMKAPE FAMILY. 



1. BROOMRAFE. OROBANCHE. 



Calyx divided to the base on the upper side, and often also on the lower 

 side, so as to form 2 lateral sepals, either entire or 2-cleft, either distinct 

 from each other, or more or less connected at the base on the lower side, 

 and sometimes on the upper side also, by the intervention of a fifth lobe, 

 and always pointed. Habit and other characters those of the family. 



It is the principal genus of the Order, extending over the whole of its 

 geographical range. The species are in general diiEcult to characterize. 

 Some appear to thrive only on the roots of one species, or at most two or 

 three closely allied ones, whilst others wiU grow on a great variety of 

 plants of the most remote natural affinities. But as the particular stock 

 the plant feeds on, occasions some modification in the habit of the parasite, 

 it is in many cases a matter of great doubt whether the diiferences observed 

 are owing to this circumstance or to real specific distinction. It is not 

 therefore improbable that some of the species here adopted, although much 

 less numerous than those usually distinguished, may on a more careful 

 observation prove to be mere varieties of each other. 



One bract only under each flower. Plant with little or no blue. 

 Stout plant, 1 to 3 feet high, with numerous flowers in a dense 

 spike. 

 Plaut dingy -brown, on shrubby Feaflowers. Stamens glabrous 



below 1. Great B. 



Plant more or less yellow, on Centaurea and other herbs. Sta- 

 mens hairy below 4. Tall B. 



Plant seldom above a foot high. Spike short, or with the lower 

 flowers distant. 

 Plant of a dingy brown, or with a reddish tint. Tube of the 

 coroUa broad. 

 Calyx of 2 entire or unequally divided sepals. Plant red- 

 brown, on Thyme 3. Sed B. 



Calyx of two equally divided sepals. Plant light or dark 



brown, on Oalitim 2. Clove-scented B. 



Plant of a light yeUowish-brown or purplish, the flowers often 

 tinged with blue. Tube of the corolla narrowed above the 



base 5. Lesser B, 



Three bracts to each flower, one underneath, and a small one on 

 each side. Plant often bluish. 



Stem always simple. Calyx 5-toothed or -lobed 6. Blue B. 



Stem often branched. Calyx 6-toothed or -lobed 7. Branched B, 



1. Grreat Broomrape. Orobanche major, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 421.) 



This, our largest species, as it is first developed is of a pale yellow, but 

 very soon assumes in every part a dingy purphsh-brown colour. Stem 

 simple, stout, from 1 to IJ or 2 feet high, much thickened at the base, with 

 lanceolate scales, which are much shorter and broader at the base of the 

 plant. Flowers closely sessile, with one bract to each, forming a dense 

 spike at least half the length of the whole plant. Calyx more or less 

 deeply divided into 2 or 4 lanceolate lobes. Corolla f to 1 inch long ; the 

 tube nearly as broad as long, curved, vnt\\ a very oblique limb ; the upper 

 lip entire or shortly 2-lobed, the lower one 3-lobed, with the middle lobe 

 usually, but not always larger than the lateral ones, and all the lobes 

 toothed and wavy, although less so than in many species. The upper part 

 of the style and stamens are usually covered with short glandular hairs, 

 vrhich are wanting in the lower parts. 



On the roots of shrubby Peaflower plants, scattered over nearly the 



