Aphyllon purpureum
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aphyllon purpureum is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by very short stem with scapose flowers, pale purple to yellow.
Purple broomrape is a California native root-parasitic perennial found in generally moist habitats across California at elevations up to 3,100 meters. Flowering from late March to July, this plant produces pale purple to yellow flowers approximately 12 to 35 millimeters long with rounded, minutely fringed lobes. Growing with extremely short stems between 0.5 to 5 centimeters tall, it emerges as a delicate parasitic structure attached to host plants. Its flowers feature distinctive orange nectary glands at the base of the ovary and develop in small raceme-like clusters with generally one to two blossoms. The plant produces flowers with hairy anthers and a unique stigma with two recurved lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; very short stem with scapose flowers, pale purple to yellow
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally moist places, on herbs, especially
Elevation: < 3100 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern Rocky Mountains
Bloom period
Aphyllon purpureum blooms Late Mar-Jul.
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 purpureum native to California?
Yes. Aphyllon purpureum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aphyllon purpureum bloom?
Aphyllon purpureum blooms Late Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Aphyllon purpureum belong to?
Aphyllon purpureum is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Aphyllon.
What habitat does Aphyllon purpureum grow in?
Aphyllon purpureum grows in Generally moist places, on herbs, especially.
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.