Phelipanche

plant genus

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Phelipanche is a genus of parasitic plants belonging to the Orobanchaceae family. These plants are known for their specialized root connections, called haustoria, which they use to parasitize other plants. Many species in this family are holoparasites, meaning they lack chlorophyll and rely entirely on their hosts for nutrition. The seeds of Phelipanche can remain dormant in the soil for years until they detect a chemical signal from a nearby host root, triggering germination. This genus, along with others like Orobanche, can be significant agricultural pests, particularly affecting crops in the Mediterranean and Middle East.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Orobanchaceae
Major genera and species
The broomrapes and the related Phelipanche attack broadleaf crops in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and elsewhere and are a major constraint to the production of legumes, oilseed crops, and solanaceous crops (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplants). Aeginetia and Christisonia infest sugarcane.
Read More
The broomrapes and the related Phelipanche attack broadleaf crops in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and elsewhere and are a major constraint to the production of legumes, oilseed crops, and solanaceous crops (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplants). Aeginetia and Christisonia infest sugarcane.
Read More