In the Spring of 2000, Branched Broomrape, a parasitic weed and a major threat to crops of the United States, was found in eastern central Texas in the following counties: Limestone and Freestone (records but apparently not established), Washington and San Jacinto (established but limited populations), Robertson, Leon, Madison, Walker, Grimes, and Brazos (well established throughout county). Branched broomrape was found in 10 Central Texas counties in 2000 and has been found in 22 counties in 2001 including Anderson, Angelina, Brazos, Burleson, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Grimes, Harris, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Montgomery, Navarro, Robertson, San Jacinto, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties. At this time surveys were only conducted along state roads in areas where wildflowers had been planted. These plant surveys were only conducted along roadside right-of-ways but there are reports of infestations on winter legumes in pastures. Broomrape plants are not found in areas limited to grassy vegetation because this parasitic plant requires a broadleaf host to survive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and Texas Cooperative Extension requests that you survey your property for Branched Broomrape and report any observations of this plant. The following photos were taken during the Spring 2000 survey. Photos were taken in early March 2000. In each photo the green leaves are dicots that broomrape uses as hosts and grasses that are not used as hosts. Broomrape does not have any green tissue. broomrape 1, broomrape 2, broomrape 3, broomrape 4, broomrape 5, broomrape 6, broomrape 7, broomrape 8, broomrape 9, and broomrape 10).
The pest, a root parasite, lacks chlorophyll and takes all its nourishment from the host plant. It is spread by tiny (less than 0.5 mm) seeds which are easily carried by farm and construction equipment, water, wind, or animal droppings. Germination takes place in December through February. Each Branched Broomrape seed puts out a root-like growth which attaches to the roots of nearby hosts. Once attached to a host, the Branched Broomrape robs its host of water and nutrients. The above ground stems first start to appear in February with the majority appearing in March and April. The first flowers appear just three days after the plant breaks ground, and seed pods mature in just 14 days. Each plant may produce 50,000 or more seeds. The seeds-are long lived, some surviving in the soil for more than10 years. Only a portion of the viable Branched Broomrape seed in the soil will germinate each year.
The broomrape plant is small, only 4 to 12 inches tall. The pest is best recognized by its yellow to straw color stems and blue or white, snapdragon like flowers. The leaves are merely triangular flaps. The seeds are minute, tan to brown and blacken with age. The plant generally flowers from February through May.
Photo page from California
See individual photos of the white form of Orobanche ramosa
A. mature plant attached to a perennial root stock
B. flowers - white form
C. parasite attachment to the host
D. 2,000 + seed in each capsule are like dust
E. mature plant on host
(Please click on the BACK button to return to this page)
Orobanchaceae Family in the TAMU Image Gallery Scroll down to Orobanche ramosa (See six images and then please click on the BACK button to return to this page)
Listed individually as: Orobanche ramosa, from Brazos Co., TX. 1997 (previously tentatively identified as Orobanche multiflora)
A. whole plant
B. base of plant
C. inflorescence - spike
D. flower close-up
E. flower close-up
F. Plants in flower, first sign that this species is present in the local (central Texas) flora
The following photos are from other sources ( broomrape in Australia and broomrape in Australia ). (Please click on the BACK button to return to this page.)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Cooperative Extension, and the Texas Department of Transportation are requesting that you survey your property for the presence of Branched Broomrape. The best places to look are: fence lines along state or county roads, areas which have been mowed in the last few years, especially if the mower has been used on the highway right-of-way, and areas where mowers, tractors, and other implements are stored. Once you have completed your survey, please let your Extension office know if you found the plant.
Broomrape is most likely to be seen from late February or early March to May with a peak in April. Should you find suspected Branched Broomrape plants DO NOT PULL THE PLANTS UP or carry them around loose because this could cause further spread of the seed. Mark the spot where plants were found with a flag or stake so it will be easy to locate and write the exact location on a card. Take this information to your County Extension Agent or call any of the people listed below to report it.
Branched Broomrape is an obligate parasite that is known to grow on the roots of a broad range of wild broadleaf plants including Engelmann daisy, burr clover, blue bonnet and wild geranium. Several crop plants that are parasitized are tomato, eggplant, potato, cabbage, coleus, bell pepper, sunflower, celery, and bean. In heavily infested areas, Branched Broomrape can cause total crop failure.
This weed is native to southern and central Europe, where it has caused severe problems to crops. Recently Branched Broomrape was introduced into Cuba, Mexico, Australia and finally to California and Texas in the USA. In an earlier version of this brochure (1987), it was reported to be in New Zealand, however we have been informed by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry that Orobanche ramosa does not occur in New Zealand and has never been established there.
At present control procedures consist of a combination of mechanical, chemical, and cultural procedures. Generally control consists of physically removing the Branched Broomrape plants, treating the area with low rates glyphosate (Roundup) and planting false host crops.
A white flowered form of Branched Broomrape was first found in Karnes County, Texas in March, 1981. Annual surveys by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agriculture show that Branched Broomrape occurs on 640 acres in Karnes County. Small infestations have also been located just across the Karnes County line in Goliad and Dewitt counties. The blue flowered form of Branched Broomrape was found by students in plant taxonomy classes in 1997. Presently Branched Broomrape is mainly confined to the highway right-of-way, but has spread onto private property in Karnes County. The blue form in eastern central Texas was only found along right-of-ways in 2000.
A close-up view of a Branched Broomrope stem. Note the yellow color of the stem and the white snap dragon like flowers.
A large Branched Broomrape plant attacking wild flowers in Karnes County, Texas. A plant of this size can produce half a million or more seeds.
ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SEEN THIS BROOMRAPE PEST OR
WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE OF ITS PRESENCE
IS URGENTLY REQUESTED TO NOTIFY ONE OF THE PEOPLE LISTED BELOW
HELP STAMP OUT BROOMRAPE ***************************************************************************************
If you see this plant or if you need further information please contact one of the following:
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
1300 North Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77803
Phone: (979) 778-2165
Fax:
E-mail:
Texas Cooperative Extension
Pesticide Safety Education
115 Agronomy Field Lab
2488 - TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-2488
Phone 979-845-6531
FAX 979-845-6251
E-mail: m-ketchersid@tamu.edu
Herbarium Botanist, TAMU Biology Department
TAMU Herbarium
009 Eugene Butler Hall
3258 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-3258
Phone 979-845-8650
FAX
E-mail: monique@mail.bio.tamu.edu
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
Weed Science
Soil & Crop Science Department
2474 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-2474
Phone 979-845-8736
FAX 979-845-0456
E-mail: jm-chandler@tamu.edu
Texas Cooperative Extension
Soil & Crop Science Department
Rm. 345 Heep Center
2474 - TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2474
Phone: 979-845-0877
Fax: 979-845-0456
E-mail: p-baumann@tamu.edu
USDA-APHIS-PPQ
903 San Jacinto, Suite 270, Austin, TX 78701-2450
Phone: (512) 916-5241
Fax: (512) 916-5243
E-mail: george.h.nash@usda.gov
Texas Department of Agriculture
1700 Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711
Phone: (512) 463-5025
Fax: (512) 463-8225
E-mail: abhatkar@agr.state.tx.us
for
Branched Broomrape
(Orobanche ramosa)
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A Major Threat to U.S. Crops
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This information was prepared by USDA, APHIS, PPQ; TAES; TAEX.
All programs and information of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are available to every one without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or handicap. Mention of a trademark or a proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or a warranty of the product by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Department of Agricultural and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that also may be suitable.
Approved for use through Month Year. Publication #
For more articles on weeds see:
Intriguing World of Weeds
This list includes 40 articles originally published in Weeds Today and Weed Technology.
Biology
1. General information about parasitic weeds
2. Damage to the host and economic importance
3. Species and hosts
4. Geographical distribution
5. Biology of parasites: early development
6. Abiotic factors influencing host-parasite interactions
7. Why are parasitc weeds a problem in agriculture?
Control
1. Overview
2. Host plant resistance in various crops
3. Chemical control
4. Physical control
5. Biological control
6. Integrated control
A description can be written here
description