OROBANCHACEAE

Orobanche ludoviciana Nutt.

Common Name: Louisiana broomrape

Greek "orobas" = vetch, "anchein" = to strangle.
New Latin "ludovician" = from Louisiana.
Broomrape comes from the late Latin name "Rapum genistae".
Rapum = a knob formed by the roots of trees. Genistae = relating to brooms (woody legumes).

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Note the lack of chlorophyl in this plant. Orobanche get all their nutrients from other plants' roots. This species is said to be parasitic on members of the Asteraceae.	There is an introduced Orobanche that is an agricultural pest. The native broomrape has 5-lobed calyces, whereas the invasive O. ramosa has 4-lobed calyces.
	Do you see any leaves? They are sessile and fleshy.