Knapweed Broomrape (Orobanche elatior)

No, I have not started photographing dead plants! This is a real, live specimen and yet there is no trace of any green on it at all.

The broomrape family are parasitic plants and the Knapweed Broomrape is, naturally, parasitic on both species of knapweed, but mainly Greater Knapweed.

Because it is a parasite deriving its nutrients from its host plant it has no need for chlorophyll and so it is not green, the colour chlorophyll would give it.

Knapweed Broomrape is an uncommon plant found mainly on the calcareous soils of southern England and so can occasionally be found in Dorset on the cliffs and downs where there is, of course, Knapweed.

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