broom rape

broom rape, common name for plants of the Orobanchaceae, the broom rape family. They are parasitic on the roots of other plants; they have small leaves and little or no green color. In some species the leaves are entirely absent. Most species are found in dry sandy areas of the Old World. Broom rapes are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Scrophulariales.