Aphyllon californicum subsp. condensum

Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: perennial · Native

california broomrape is a California native parasitic perennial found in dry desert regions of southern California in dry washes and flats at low elevations. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces buff to yellow flowers with purple-tinged lips and red veins, approximately 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters long. Growing with branched stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it has a delicate, spreading structure with branches generally less than 9 centimeters long. Its stems are intricately structured with round-topped inflorescences and a distinctive flower throat featuring a notable hump approximately 8 to 10 millimeters wide. The flower's corolla tube is stout and abruptly expands above the sinus, creating a unique architectural profile in its desert habitat.

Habitat: dry washes, flats, on

Bloom period: May-Jul

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.