Aphyllon fasciculatum
Clustered broomrape, Clustered Broomrape
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aphyllon fasciculatum (Clustered broomrape) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by flowers prominently curved forward and held horizontal, pink to maroon.
Clustered broomrape is a California native parasitic perennial found in dry, generally bare places in the Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, and Transverse Ranges at elevations of 1,200 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces pink to dark maroon flowers 12 to 30 millimeters long with curved lower sections and rounded lobe tips. Growing with slender stems 3 to 20 centimeters tall, often clustered and sometimes branched, it forms compact raceme-like inflorescences with 3 to 18 flowers. Its flowers feature distinctive glandular-puberulent bracts and an unusual orange nectary gland at the base of the ovary. The plant has an unusual parasitic growth habit, with anthers that are generally hairy and a two-lobed stigma that is recurved.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; flowers prominently curved forward and held horizontal, pink to maroon
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, generally +- bare places, on
Elevation: 1200-3500 m
Outside California: to Alaska, Yukon Territory, southern Canada, central United States
Bloom period
Aphyllon fasciculatum blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Orobanche: Aphyllon and Orobanche are now considered the same genus; check current taxonomy.; vs Oenothera: Aphyllon is parasitic without green leaves; Oenothera has normal green leaves and grows independently.; vs Kopsiopsis: Aphyllon is hairy with separated bracts; Kopsiopsis is hairless with tightly overlapping bracts.; vs Pholisma: Aphyllon has upright purple flower spikes; Pholisma has round white flower heads at ground level.; vs Diplacus: Aphyllon is parasitic without green leaves; Diplacus has normal green leaves and colorful snapdragon flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aphyllon fasciculatum native to California?
Yes. Aphyllon fasciculatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aphyllon fasciculatum bloom?
Aphyllon fasciculatum blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Aphyllon fasciculatum belong to?
Aphyllon fasciculatum is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Aphyllon.
What habitat does Aphyllon fasciculatum grow in?
Aphyllon fasciculatum grows in Dry, generally +- bare places, on.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.