Orobanchaceae - Broomrape family

Perennial, biennial or annual herbs, subshrubs or shrubs; usually root-hemiparasites (with chlorophyll) or holoparasites (without chlorophyll). Leaves simple, opposite or alternate (spiral), scale-like in holoparasites; margins entire, toothed or deeply lobed. Venation pinnate or palmate. Inflorescence of racemes, spikes or rarely solitary flowers. Flowers bisexual, zygomorphic. Sepals fused. Petals fused, imbricate, 2-lipped; upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed. Ovary superior; carpels fused. Seed a loculicidal or septicidal capsule, rarely a drupe, berry or schizocarp.

Comment: The genera in this family until recently were considered part of Scrophulariaceae sensu lato. Recent research established they are a monophyletic group of hemiparasitic species forming a distinct family.

Worldwide: c. 98 genera and 2000 species, more or less cosmopolitan but especially in temperate Eurasia, tropical Africa, North America and South America, Australia and New Zealand.

Zimbabwe: 13 genera and 60 taxa.