Aphyllon parishii
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aphyllon parishii is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family.
Parish's broomrape is a California native parasitic perennial found in desert regions of southern California in arid, sandy, or rocky habitats. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces buff to pale pink flowers with subtle red veining. Growing 15 to 30 centimeters tall with stout, glandular-hairy stems that are generally simple and upright, it emerges as a yellowish-white parasitic plant. Its flower calyx is 10 to 20 millimeters long with narrow triangular lobes, and bracts feature more than 5 conspicuous parallel veins. Its pale corolla has rounded lobes with delicate red-tinged vein networks.
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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Aphyllon parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Aphyllon parishii belong to?
Aphyllon parishii is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Aphyllon.
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.