BROOM-RAPE FAMILY. 



OROBANCHACE^. 

 Beech-drops. JEpvphegus Virginiana. 



Found growing from the roots of beech trees, in August, through 

 October. 



The tough, branching stalk, from 6 to 1 2 inches high, is brown, in- 

 clining to reddish. 



There are no leaves, and only a few dry, and unnoticeable scales 

 occur occasionally on the stalk. 



The flowers are of two kinds, the upper sterile ones have long, 

 small, 4-notched tubes, and are dull purplish and yellowish-brown in 

 color ; the lower seed-bearing flowers appear always as small buds. 

 They are set on short foot-stems, and are irregularly scattered along 

 the branches. 



This is a parasite, drawing its life from the root of the beech ; 

 where it looks like a dry or dead twig sticking up from the ground. It 

 emits a most unpleasant odor. 



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