Aphyllon validum
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS Listed
Aphyllon validum is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family.
Broomrape is a California native perennial found in mountain and desert bioregions at elevations between 6 to 35 centimeters. Flowering from late spring to early summer, this plant produces distinctive purple flowers with acute lips 3 to 5 millimeters long, creating delicate inflorescences up to 2 to 3 centimeters wide. Growing with generally a single dark purple stem that is glandular-puberulent, the plant has slender to stout branches with occasionally enlarged bases. Its flower structure features a calyx 5 to 11 millimeters long with subequal linear-triangular lobes. The plant's unusual parasitic nature and glandular characteristics make it a unique component of California's native plant communities.
Habitat and range
California counties: Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Tehama
Conservation status
CNPS Listed
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 validum native to California?
Yes. Aphyllon validum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Aphyllon validum grow?
Aphyllon validum occurs in Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Tehama.
What plant family does Aphyllon validum belong to?
Aphyllon validum is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Aphyllon.
Is Aphyllon validum rare or endangered?
Aphyllon validum carries California Rare Plant Rank Listed, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.