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  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - with Reed Warbler foster parent. L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    157681.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    136260.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    136301.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    144853.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    111807.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    144830.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    144852.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162531.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162572.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162475.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162473.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    163290.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162576.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162575.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162574.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162535.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162533.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162534.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162532.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162480.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162577.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162573.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162479.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    162530.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161003.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160987.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160980.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160990.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160977.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160978.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160981.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161005.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161006.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161008.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161009.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160985.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160991.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160744.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    161215.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160983.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160984.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161004.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161007.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160989.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160993.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160720.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160725.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160727.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    158136.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160979.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    160982.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus - male
    161002.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160986.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160992.jpg
  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
    160988.jpg
  • Parasitic Bolete - Pseudoboletus parasiticus
    135382.jpg
  • Greater Dodder - Cuscuta europaea - a parasite of Common Nettle Urtica dioica
    161267.jpg
  • Greater Dodder - Cuscuta europaea - a parasite of Common Nettle Urtica dioica
    161265.jpg
  • Greater Dodder - Cuscuta europaea - a parasite of Common Nettle Urtica dioica
    161266.jpg
  • Nomada fabriciana, a klepto parasite especially of Andrena bicolor
    156397.jpg
  • Nomada fabriciana, a klepto parasite especially of Andrena bicolor
    156396.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    156327.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    156322.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus - Young being fed by Dunnock. L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    154631.jpg
  • parasitic bolete<br />
Pseudoboletus parasiticus
    138494.jpg
  • Parasitic Bolete  Pseudoboletus parasiticus
    137205.jpg
  • Green Shore Crab - Carcinus maenas infected with parasitic barnacle - Sacculina carcini
    141600.jpg
  • Green Shore Crab - Carcinus maenas infected with parasitic barnacle - Sacculina carcini
    141599.jpg
  • COMMON DODDER Cuscuta epithymum (Cuscutaceae) Climbing. Bizarre, parasitic and leafless plant that lacks chlorophyll and gains its nutrition from host plants, which include Heather, clovers and other herbaceous plants. Found in grassy places and on heaths, the slender, red stems twining through the vegetation. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, pink and borne in dense clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Locally common in S; scarce elsewhere.
    141451.jpg
  • IVY BROOMRAPE Orobanche hederae (Orobanchaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright plant with a downy, purple-tinged stem that is swollen at the base. Parasitic on Ivy and found mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 12-20mm long, the corolla creamy white with purple veins with a tube that is mainly straight but swollen at the base; borne in spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Local, mainly in S and W Britain.
    141216.jpg
  • TOOTHWORT Lathraea squamaria (Orobanchaceae) Height to 25cm. Bizarre perennial that is entirely parasitic on the roots of woody shrubs, especially Hazel. Grows in woodlands, invariably on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 15-18mm long, tubular and pinkish lilac to creamy white; borne in 1-sided spikes (Apr-May). FRUITS are capsules, contained within the dead flower. LEAVES are scale-like, alternate and clasping. STATUS-Widespread but only locally common; absent N Scotland and W Ireland.
    140487.jpg
  • YARROW (PURPLE) BROOMRAPE Orobanche purpurea (Orobanchaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright, unbranched purplish-tinged annual. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and is entirely parasitic on the roots of Yarrow Achillea millefolium. Found in dry grassland and in coastal grassland. FLOWERS are 20-30mm long, the corolla pinkish-purple with darker veins. Stigmas are white. 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. Scattered, from Norfolk to Isle of Wight.
    140030.jpg
  • 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.
    140025.jpg
  • GREATER BROOMRAPE Orobanche rapum-genistae (Orobanchaceae) Height to 80cm. Impressive plant and the tallest of its kind in the region. Stems are yellowish and distinctly swollen at the base. Parasitic on the roots of Broom and gorse. Found on grassy banks and heaths. FLOWERS are 20-25mm long, the corolla yellow tinged purple and the filaments hairless at the base; borne in upright spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Widespread but scarce, occurring mainly in England and Wales.
    134149.jpg
  • GREATER BROOMRAPE Orobanche rapum-genistae (Orobanchaceae) Height to 80cm. Impressive plant and the tallest of its kind in the region. Stems are yellowish and distinctly swollen at the base. Parasitic on the roots of Broom and gorse. Found on grassy banks and heaths. FLOWERS are 20-25mm long, the corolla yellow tinged purple and the filaments hairless at the base; borne in upright spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Widespread but scarce, occurring mainly in England and Wales.
    134147.jpg
  • GREATER BROOMRAPE Orobanche rapum-genistae (Orobanchaceae) Height to 80cm. Impressive plant and the tallest of its kind in the region. Stems are yellowish and distinctly swollen at the base. Parasitic on the roots of Broom and gorse. Found on grassy banks and heaths. FLOWERS are 20-25mm long, the corolla yellow tinged purple and the filaments hairless at the base; borne in upright spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Widespread but scarce, occurring mainly in England and Wales.
    134148.jpg
  • PURPLE TOOTHWORT Lathraea clandestina (Orobanchaceae) Subterranean. Distinctive perennial. Entirely parasitic on the roots of trees such as poplars, willows and alders and grows in damp woodland. The main visible signs of the plant above ground are the flowers; sometimes these form large patches. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla purple and held erect (Mar-May). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are scale-like and borne close to the ground. STATUS-Introduced and naturalised locally.
    133504.jpg
  • MISTLETOE Viscum album (Viscaceae)  D to 1m<br />
Woody, evergreen parasite with evenly forked branches. It forms large, spherical clumps among branches of host trees, mainly apple (often in cultivation), lime and poplars. FLOWERS are inconspicuous (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are white and sticky. LEAVES are oval, yellowish green and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    132596.jpg
  • MISTLETOE Viscum album (Viscaceae)  D to 1m<br />
Woody, evergreen parasite with evenly forked branches. It forms large, spherical clumps among branches of host trees, mainly apple (often in cultivation), lime and poplars. FLOWERS are inconspicuous (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are white and sticky. LEAVES are oval, yellowish green and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    132592.jpg
  • IVY BROOMRAPE Orobanche hederae (Orobanchaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright plant with a downy, purple-tinged stem that is swollen at the base. Parasitic on Ivy and found mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 12-20mm long, the corolla creamy white with purple veins with a tube that is mainly straight but swollen at the base; borne in spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Local, mainly in S and W Britain.
    131417.jpg
  • COMMON BROOMRAPE Orobanche minor (Orobanchaceae) Height to 40cm. Upright, unbranched annual that usually has a purplish-tinged stem. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and is entirely parasitic on the roots of Pea family members, notably clovers, and other herbaceous plants. Found in grassy places and scrub, and on verges. FLOWERS are 10-18mm long, the corolla pinkish yellow with purple veins, tubular with smoothly curved dorsal surface, and 2-lipped; in open, upright spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Locally common in central and S England, Wales and S Ireland.
    131131.jpg
  • BIRD’S-NEST ORCHID Neottia nidus-avis (Orchidaceae) Height to 35cm. Bizarre-looking orchid that entirely lacks chlorophyll and obtains its nutrition as a parasite of fungal hyphae. It is found in undisturbed woodland, usually under Beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are brownish, with a hood and a 2-lobed lip, 10mm long; borne in fairly dense spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are reduced to brownish scale-like structures. STATUS-Widespread throughout most of the region, except N Scotland, but always local.
    130916.jpg
  • PURPLE TOOTHWORT Lathraea clandestina (Orobanchaceae) Subterranean. Distinctive perennial. Entirely parasitic on the roots of trees such as poplars, willows and alders and grows in damp woodland. The main visible signs of the plant above ground are the flowers; sometimes these form large patches. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla purple and held erect (Mar-May). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are scale-like and borne close to the ground. STATUS-Introduced and naturalised locally.
    130061.jpg
  • CARROT BROOMRAPE Orobanche minor ssp. maritima (Height to 50cm) is similar to Common Broomrape but shows subtle differences in the flower structure: the back of the corolla is straight, not curved (Jun-Jul). This species grows on coastal sand and is a parasite of Sea-Holly and Sea Carrot. It also grows, very locally, on the Isle of Wight.
    129781.jpg
  • TOOTHWORT Lathraea squamaria (Orobanchaceae) Height to 25cm. Bizarre perennial that is entirely parasitic on the roots of woody shrubs, especially Hazel. Grows in woodlands, invariably on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 15-18mm long, tubular and pinkish lilac to creamy white; borne in 1-sided spikes (Apr-May). FRUITS are capsules, contained within the dead flower. LEAVES are scale-like, alternate and clasping. STATUS-Widespread but only locally common; absent N Scotland and W Ireland.
    118488.jpg
  • THYME BROOMRAPE Orobanche alba (Orobanchaceae) ** Height to 25cm. Attractive, upright and rather stout plant that is tinged reddish. Parasitic on the roots of thymes, and related plants. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long and fragrant, the corolla reddish; borne in comparatively short spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like.
    106351.jpg
  • MISTLETOE Viscum album (Viscaceae)  D to 1m<br />
Woody, evergreen parasite with evenly forked branches. It forms large, spherical clumps among branches of host trees, mainly apple (often in cultivation), lime and poplars. FLOWERS are inconspicuous (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are white and sticky. LEAVES are oval, yellowish green and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    144559.jpg
  • MISTLETOE Viscum album (Viscaceae)  D to 1m<br />
Woody, evergreen parasite with evenly forked branches. It forms large, spherical clumps among branches of host trees, mainly apple (often in cultivation), lime and poplars. FLOWERS are inconspicuous (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are white and sticky. LEAVES are oval, yellowish green and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    144558.jpg
  • MISTLETOE Viscum album (Viscaceae)  D to 1m<br />
Woody, evergreen parasite with evenly forked branches. It forms large, spherical clumps among branches of host trees, mainly apple (often in cultivation), lime and poplars. FLOWERS are inconspicuous (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are white and sticky. LEAVES are oval, yellowish green and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    144560.jpg
  • MISTLETOE Viscum album (Viscaceae)  D to 1m<br />
Woody, evergreen parasite with evenly forked branches. It forms large, spherical clumps among branches of host trees, mainly apple (often in cultivation), lime and poplars. FLOWERS are inconspicuous (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are white and sticky. LEAVES are oval, yellowish green and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    144561.jpg
  • MISTLETOE Viscum album (Viscaceae)  D to 1m<br />
Woody, evergreen parasite with evenly forked branches. It forms large, spherical clumps among branches of host trees, mainly apple (often in cultivation), lime and poplars. FLOWERS are inconspicuous (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are white and sticky. LEAVES are oval, yellowish green and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    144562.jpg
  • Parasitic Bolete -  Pseudoboletus parasiticus
    134222.jpg
  • Gasteruption jaculator -  aspecies of parasitic wasp
    160102.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    156326.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    156321.jpg
  • parasitic copepod<br />
caligus elongatus
    142207.jpg
  • Parasitic Copepod - Clavella adunca
    141830.jpg
  • COMMON DODDER Cuscuta epithymum (Cuscutaceae) Climbing. Bizarre, parasitic and leafless plant that lacks chlorophyll and gains its nutrition from host plants, which include Heather, clovers and other herbaceous plants. Found in grassy places and on heaths, the slender, red stems twining through the vegetation. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, pink and borne in dense clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Locally common in S; scarce elsewhere.
    141450.jpg
  • 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.
    140026.jpg
  • GREATER BROOMRAPE Orobanche rapum-genistae (Orobanchaceae) Height to 80cm. Impressive plant and the tallest of its kind in the region. Stems are yellowish and distinctly swollen at the base. Parasitic on the roots of Broom and gorse. Found on grassy banks and heaths. FLOWERS are 20-25mm long, the corolla yellow tinged purple and the filaments hairless at the base; borne in upright spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Widespread but scarce, occurring mainly in England and Wales.
    134152.jpg
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