Aphyllon pinorum
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aphyllon pinorum is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by enlarged base with overlapping bracts, coral-like root attachment, yellow flowers.
pine broomrape is a California native parasitic perennial found in open forest slopes at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow flowers with pale purple-tinged lobes 12 to 20 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with a slender stem and an enlarged base with many overlapping bracts, it has a distinctive coral-like root attachment. Its flowers emerge deep purple with golden brown or reddish tones, featuring a calyx 5 to 8 millimeters long with triangular-acuminate lobes. The plant is distinctively glandular-puberulent above ground, with flowers characterized by hairy filament bases and two recurved stigma lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; enlarged base with overlapping bracts, coral-like root attachment, yellow flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky, open forest slopes, on
Elevation: < 2100 m
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, New Mexico
Bloom period
Aphyllon pinorum blooms Jul-Sep.
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 pinorum native to California?
Yes. Aphyllon pinorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aphyllon pinorum bloom?
Aphyllon pinorum blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Aphyllon pinorum belong to?
Aphyllon pinorum is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Aphyllon.
What habitat does Aphyllon pinorum grow in?
Aphyllon pinorum grows in Uncommon. Rocky, open forest slopes, on.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.