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THE BROOM-RAPE FAMILY 
[ORDER LVI. OROBANCHACE^E] 
M EMBERS of the Broom-rape Family might at a glance be thought to belong to the Bird’s- 
nest Order •(Monotropacese). They are similar succulent, brownish, leafless plants, but 
on examination the flowers will be found to differ from those of the Bird’s-nest Family in that the 
corolla is 2-lipped (bilabiate), and that there are 4 stamens in 2 unequal pairs (didynamous). 
The order is small, but has a wide distribution, though it thrives best in temperate regions. 
All its members are parasites or saprophytes, and, being destitute of chlorophyll, have no green 
leaves, brownish scales taking their place. 
I. Broom-rape (Oroban'che). Calyx deeply divided into 2, 4, or 5 pointed lobes. 
II. Toothwort (Lathr^ea). Calyx of 4 sepals, bell-shaped, united halfway into a tube and 
separating into 4 short, broad teeth. 
I. BROOM-RAPE. (OROBAN'CHE. Linn.) — Flowers in a many-sided spike, with 1-3 bracts 
below each flower. Calyx of 4 sepals, united into 2 cleft or entire lips, which are more or less 
connected at the base, free from and inserted below the seedcase (inferior) ; corolla of 4-5 petals, 
united into a cylindrical or bell-shaped gaping tube, usually curved, 2-lipped, the upper lip 2-lobed 
and the lower one 3-lobed, inserted below the seedcase (hypogynous) ; stamens 4, in unequal pairs 
(didynamous), inserted and included in the corolla-tube ; carpels 4, united into a i-celled seedcase, 
a single style, and a 2-lobed stigma; capsule 1 -celled, with the numerous minute seeds attached 
to 4 narrow ridges inside the cell-walls (parietal placentae), opening by 2 more or less distinct 
valves. Fleshy parasites, never green, with scale-like bracts instead of leaves, often with gland- 
tipped hairs, and short roots attached to the root of the plant on which it feeds. 
One bract below each flower ; calyx of 2 portions, entire or lobed ; capsule with valves united 
at the apex and the base. 
(1) Greater Broom-rape. (Oroban'che m£jor.) — Flowers large, 1 inch long; corolla-tube very 
gaping ; stamens smooth at the base, inserted on the base of the corolla-tube ; stigma 
of 2 diverging yellow lobes. On Broom, Gorse, &c. 
(2) Clove-scented Broom-rape. (Oroban'che caryophylldceae.) — Flowers large, i-i£ inches 
long ; corolla-tube narrow ; stamens hairy throughout, inserted above the base of 
the corolla-tube ; stigma of 2 widely diverging purple lobes. On Hedge Bedstraw. 
(3) Red Broom-rape. (Oroban'che rubra.) — Flowers small, § inch long ; stamens hairy 
throughout with gland-tipped hairs at the top, inserted near the base of the corolla- 
tube ; stigma of 2 pale pink lobes touching one another. On Wild Thyme. 
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