Origin
Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii, commonly known as Parish's broomrape, is a parasitic plant that is native to California, United States. It belongs to the family Orobanchaceae and is a subspecies of Orobanche parishii.
Common Names
Parish's broomrape is commonly known by a variety of names, including Parish's cancer root, Parish's broom, and Parish's broom-rape.
Uses
Traditionally, Orobanche parishii was used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory infections, sore throats, and skin infections. However, due to its rarity and endangered status, it is not commonly used today. Additionally, the plant has no significant modern-day economic or cultural uses.
General Appearance
Parish's broomrape is a herbaceous, parasitic perennial plant that lacks chlorophyll and obtains its nutrients from the roots of its hosts. It produces a thick and fleshy underground stem, known as a tuber, which can grow up to 7 cm in length. The plant grows up to 60 cm tall and produces an erect or ascending stem that is covered in glandular hairs. The leaves are scale-like and are reduced to tiny bracts. The flowers are pinkish to purplish in color and bloom in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a capsule that contains numerous small, dark brown seeds.
Growth Conditions of Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii
Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii, commonly known as the Parish's broomrape, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the Orobanchaceae family. It is native to California and can typically be found in the southern region of the state. The plant has unique growth conditions suited to its parasitic nature.
Light Requirements
O. parishii typically grows in sunny areas, where it can attach to the roots of its host plants for support and access to necessary resources. The plant does not require direct sunlight and can tolerate some level of shade. However, it needs enough light to carry out photosynthesis and obtain energy from its host plants.
Temperature Requirements
The Parish's broomrape grows best in warm temperatures that reflect its Mediterranean climate. It can withstand hot temperatures, but the plant's growth slows down during the warmer months. The plant requires a temperature range of approximately 15°C to 25°C to thrive.
Soil Requirements
O. parishii grows well in well-drained soils with low moisture, which are common in California's dry regions. The plant prefers soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Soil composition does not directly affect the growth of the plant as it primarily depends on its host plants for nutrients and water. However, the plant requires a suitable substrate for attaching its roots to the host plant's roots.
Cultivation methods
Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii is a parasitic plant, which means it does not perform photosynthesis and obtains nutrients from the roots of its host plant. Therefore, it is not recommended to cultivate this plant in a traditional way. Instead, it is advisable to grow its host plant and allow the Orobanche parishii to attach to its roots and obtain the necessary nutrients. The most commonly used host plants are members of the Fabaceae, such as lupines and clovers.
Watering needs
Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii does not need to be watered directly since it obtains moisture from the host plant. However, it is essential to provide adequate irrigation for the host plant to ensure the growth and health of both plants. The frequency and amount of irrigation depend on the climate, soil type, and the stage of growth of the host plant. In general, it is necessary to provide enough water to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Fertilization
Since Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii obtains its nutrients from the roots of the host plant, it does not require any additional fertilization. However, it is recommended to fertilize the host plant appropriately to ensure the growth and health of both plants. The type and amount of fertilizer needed depend on the soil quality and the specific needs of the host plant. It is advisable to use a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in appropriate amounts.
Pruning
As a parasitic plant, Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii does not require any pruning since it does not have any foliage or stems. However, it is necessary to remove any Orobanche parishii plants that are infested with diseases or pests to prevent the spread to the host plant. It is also essential to keep the host plant properly pruned to ensure its growth and health. The type and amount of pruning depend on the specific needs of the host plant and its growth habit.
Propagation of Orobanche Parishii (Jepson) Heckard Subspecies Parishii
Orobanche parishii (Jepson) Heckard ssp. parishii is a parasitic plant that depends on the host plant for its survival. The plant does not have chlorophyll and cannot synthesize its food. Therefore, propagation of Orobanche parishii is challenging. The propagation is mainly through seed germination and host plant growth.
Seed Germination
The propagation process of Orobanche parishii starts with seed germination. The seeds of Orobanche parishii are tiny and require a specific condition to germinate. The seeds of this plant have a hard protective coat that needs to be weakened before sowing. The weakening of the seed coat can be done by nicking or sanding it slightly. After nicking or sanding, the seed is soaked in water for 24 hours before sowing.
The soil for sowing should be sterile, with low nitrogen content. Too much nitrogen in the soil can harm the seedlings. The seeds should be sown on the surface of the soil and not buried. The soil should be kept moist, but overwatering should be avoided. The seeds of Orobanche parishii can take up to a year to germinate.
Host Plant Growth
Once the seeds of Orobanche parishii germinate, the next step is to grow the plant on a host plant. Orobanche parishii has a specific host range, and not all host plants can be used for its growth. The host plant used for propagation should be selected carefully, and the plant should be healthy and disease-free.
The roots of Orobanche parishii penetrate the roots of the host plant, and the plant depends on the host plant for its nutrition. The Orobanche parishii plant is not harmful to the host plant, but it can reduce the host plant's growth and yield.
Propagation of Orobanche parishii is challenging, and it requires careful attention to detail. The propagation process can take time, and successful propagation will depend on the correct technique and care.
Disease and Pest Management for Orobanche parishii ssp. parishii
Orobanche parishii ssp. parishii, commonly known as the Parish's broomrape, is a flowering plant that is native to California. Although this plant is not as susceptible to diseases and pests as other plants, there are still a few problems that may arise. Here are a few common diseases and pests that may affect Orobanche parishii ssp. parishii and ways to manage them.
Diseases
As a parasitic plant, Orobanche parishii ssp. parishii may not be as affected by diseases as other plant species that grow through photosynthesis. However, it can still become infected with fungal or bacterial diseases when its host plant becomes diseased. One common disease that can affect this plant is the root rot, caused by the fungi belonging to the Fusarium and Pythium genera.
To manage root rot, users should practice good sanitation and avoid overwatering the plant. Fungicides may also be used to treat the soil where the plant is growing, although this is a less commonly recommended method.
Pests
Although Orobanche parishii ssp. parishii is not commonly attacked by pests, a few insects could still pose a threat. One such pest is the stem mining weevil, Mecinus janthinus. These weevils eat into the stems of the plant, causing wilting and eventually killing it.
To manage this pest, it may be beneficial to introduce biological control agents like wasps or mites. It is also important to keep the area near the plant clear of debris that might harbor these pests. Alternatively, you can also prune the affected areas to slow down the infestation. Insecticides are generally not suggested as they may also kill helpful insects, which could lead to the spread of other pests.
Conclusion
Orobanche parishii ssp. parishii can be a relatively easy plant to care for as it is not as vulnerable to pests and diseases as other species. However, proper sanitation and providing measures for the early identification and removal of the affected parts can greatly reduce the chances of fungal and bacterial infections should they arise.
