140026 OXTONGUE BROOMRAPE Orobanche artemisiae-campestris (Orobanchaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, unbranched annual that usually has a purplish-tinged stem. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and is entirely parasitic on the roots of Hawkweed Oxtongue Picris hieracioides. Found in calcareous grassland and on sea cliffs. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, the corolla pinkish yellow with purple veins, tubular with smoothly curved dorsal surface, and 2-lipped; filmaents are hairy at base. Flowers borne in open, upright spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Very rare. S England only, from cliffs in Kent and Sussex, to Isle of Wight.
