322 THE BROOMRAPE FAMILY. [ Orobanche. 
flowers, but these are nearer the size of those of O. minor, and the whole 
plant assumes a very red-brown colour. Calyx usually divided into 2 entire 
sepals with narrow points, but these are sometimes again divided, although 
very unequally, or ‘united in front at the base, as in O, minor, and other 
species. 
NOn the roots of Thyme, in central and southern Europe. In Britain, 
only on the basalt and trap-rocks in Scotland and Ireland. Fl, summer. 
4, O. elatior, Sutt. (fig. 719). Yall Broomrape.—Closely resembling 
O. major in stature and flowers, of which it is probably a mere variety, It 
retains longer its pale yellow colour; the lobes of the corolla are less un- 
equal and more toothed, and the stamens are hairy in their lower part, and 
nearly glabrous above. 
On Centaurea and not on Leguminous shrubs; said to be more abun- 
dant than O. major in eastern Europe, in Britain it inhabits chiefly the 
eastern and southern counties, but has occurred in South Wales. 7. 
summer. 
5, O. minor, Linn. (fig. 720). Lesser Broomrape.—Often small, and 
always more slender than any of the preceding species, with smaller 
flowers. Generally of a light brown or yellowish colour, with more or less 
of bluish-purple in the flowers, although not running into the deep purple- 
blue of the two following species. It is usually from 6 to 9 inches high, 
although some of the larger specimens exceed a foot ; the lower flowers of 
the spike are at some distance from each other. Segments of the calyx 
ending in long slender points. Tube of the corolla contracted in the middle, 
much curved ; the lobes of the limb larger in proportion, and more wavy 
than in O, major and O. caryophyllacea, Stamens more or less hairy in 
their lower part. 
One of the widest-spread species over Europe and Russian Asia, grow- 
ing on a great variety of plants. In Britain, not uncommon in southern 
and central England, and southern Ireland. 7. all summer. It varies 
according to station, and the plant it affects, Many of these varities have 
been considered as species, amongst which three are commonly admitted 
into the British Flora :—O. picridis, F. Schultz, a tall, very pale-coloured 
variety, growing on Pieris hieracioides; O, amethystea, Thiull., assuming 
a bluer tint than any of the others, and growing on Eryngium ; O. Hederea, 
Duby, not uncommon on Jvy in the south of England and Ireland, as on 
the Continent. It is said to differ from the common form in the yellow, 
not purple, colour of the stigma, and other trifling characters, which how- 
ever do not appear to be at all constant. 
6. 0. cverulea, Vill. (fig. 721). Blue Bloomrape.—Stem simple 
or rarely branched, 6 to 9 inches high, with a light-bluish tint. Flowers — 
of a deep purplish-blue, with two small bracts at its base, one on each 
side, besides the larger bract common to all Orobanches. Calyx usually 
closed at the back by a fifth tooth or lobe, much shorter and broader than 
the others. Corolla-lobe rather long and curved; the 5 lobes, although 
arranged in two lips, are less unequal, and less wavy than in the preceding 
species. q 
Chiefly, if not exclusively, on Achillea Millefolium; not uncommon on ~ 
the continent of Europe, and in west-central Asia. In Britain, only in ~ 
grassy pastures near the sea, in the eastern and southern counties, and in 
