Orobanche cumana (weed)
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Orobanche cumana (weed) Wallr. - (sunflower broomrape)
This broomrape is found in southern and eastern Europe and in neighbouring regions. It is a serious parasitic weed on sunflower and can also attack other crops like tobacco or tomatoes. On susceptible sunflower cultivars it may cause yield losses of up to 50%. It is common in semi-arid areas on nitrogen-deficient soils. The plant lacks chlorophyll and obtains all nutrients from the roots of its host plant.
Dispersal apparently occurs mainly by wind through the small seeds. The seeds remain viable for more than 10 years and require a stimulus from the host plant for germination. The use of resistant crops is the optimal control strategy, but needs to take into account the different races of O. cumana. Soil fumigation and solarization are regarded as not economically feasible. Chemical control requires herbicide-resistant crops.
The plant grows to a height of about 50 cm and has whitish to violet stalks. The flowers are bluish and the crown is bent (drooping). The seeds are very small, around 350 µm long.
| Vernacular names | |
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| • Deutsch: | nickende Sommerwurz |
| • English: | sunflower broomrape drooping broomrape nodding broomrape |
Synonyms:
Orobanche cernua
