Ivy Broomrape and Common Broomrape

Broomrapes produce a spectacular flower spike very similar to an orchid spike but are parasitic plants on the roots of other plants, so lack the green pigment.  There are a number of different species in the UK of which most are rare and have a restricted range.

 Above images are all Ivy Broomrape which is, as the name suggests parasitic on Ivy.  These plants are not quite in full bloom, so watch this space for more images to come.

   Common Broomrape, and again as the name suggests the most common and widespread species in the UK.