About Orobanche crenata Forssk.
Orobanche crenata Forssk. is a broomrape species commonly called bean broomrape. It is a common parasite that grows on faba bean (Vicia faba). It is native to the Mediterranean basin in Europe and North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Western Asia extending as far east as Iran. It has been introduced to other regions, including Ethiopia. This species does not produce chlorophyll; it obtains carbohydrates from its host’s phloem, and water and minerals from its host’s xylem. It is a persistent threat to legume crop production. In the Apulia region of southern Italy, people gather and eat the stems of Orobanche crenata.
