Day 234: Another of Team Biota's recent finds: a new location for Naked Broomrape (Orobanche uniflora). This uncommon species is parasitic on at least two sedums and some saxifrages in Mount Rainier National Park; the unidentified host is concealed by the lush Suksdorfia foliage in this image. Broomrape stems are devoid of foliage; the plant contains no chlorophyll and is entirely dependent on the nutrients it pulls from its host (i.e., it is a "holoparasite"). Invariably, when I refer to this plant by its common name, it provokes a negative reaction. In fact, the Latin word "rapum" refers to a tuber, and "broom" refers to the family of vetches (legumes),, another common host for the Orobanche genus. And just to demonstrate that science doesn't rule every single moment of my life (close, but not total), the photographer in me could not resist including that sweet, smiling little Monkeyflower (Erythranthe alsinoides) to top off the visual line.
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