Ivy Broomrape
Orobanche hederae
Orobanche hederae, the ivy broomrape, is, like other members of the genus Orobanche, a parasitic plant without chlorophyll, and thus totally dependent on its host, which is ivy. It grows to 60 cm (2 ft), with stems in shades of brown and purple, sometimes yellow.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orobanche_hederae
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Lamiales
Family
Orobanchaceae
Genus
Orobanche
Ivy Broomrape belongs to the family Orobanchaceae, order Lamiales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Orobanche hederae, the ivy broomrape, is, like other members of the genus Orobanche, a parasitic plant without chlorophyll, and thus totally dependent on its host, which is ivy. It grows to 60 cm (2 ft), with stems in shades of brown and purple, sometimes yellow. The flowers are 10–22 mm (0.4–0.9 in) long, cream in colour with reddish-purple veins.
Ivy Broomrape is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of coastal areas where its host plant, ivy, grows. Urban development, coastal erosion, and changes in land management practices have reduced suitable habitat availability. The species' highly specialized parasitic relationship with ivy makes it particularly vulnerable to any factors affecting its host plant populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Ivy broomrape primarily propagates by seeds which are dispersed by wind, but is also able to regenerate from small fragments of roots that remain in the soil. Many broomrape seeds show considerable abilities to remain dormant but viable for many years. When germination occurs, the embryo of the seed sends out a thin thread-like filament that spirals away from the embryo and into the surround...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Ivy Broomrape is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of coastal areas where its host plant, ivy, grows. Urban development, coastal erosion, and changes in land management practices have reduced suitable habitat availability. The species' highly specialized parasitic relationship with ivy makes it particularly vulnerable to any factors affecting its host plant populations.
Coastal erosion and sea level rise
Decline of host plant (ivy) populations
Habitat loss from coastal development
Changes in land management practices
Small population size and fragmentation
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Ivy Broomrape (Orobanche hederae). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/ivy-broomrape