Aphyllon epigalium subsp. epigalium

Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: annual · Native

Aphyllon epigalium is a California native annual herb found in forest understories and montane slopes at elevations up to 2,700 meters. Flowering from late April to July, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers often tinged with red or purple, approximately 20 to 30 millimeters long with spreading lobes. Growing as a slender parasitic herb, it emerges from host plant roots with delicate stems. Its flower structure is particularly notable, with a corolla mouth presented at roughly a 45-degree angle and lobes less than twice as long as they are wide. As a root parasite, this plant represents a unique component of montane forest ecosystems.

Habitat: Forest understory or montane slopes, on

Bloom period: Late Apr-Jul

Elevation: < 2700 m

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