broomrape

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• broomrape

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Orobanche salsa
• Anblatum tartaricum
• Orobanche squamaria
• Orobanche rhizopus
• Phelypaea incana
• Phelypaea salsa
• Phelypaea ambigua
• Cistanche salsa var. albiflora
• Cistanche salsa var. longidens
• Cistanche jodostoma
• Cistanche ambigua
• Cistanche eremodoxa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Orobanchaceae. Its scientific name is defined by the genus Cistanche, specifically as Cistanche salsa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of Eurasia. In Eastern Europe, its presence is noted throughout East European Russia and South European Russia. Moving into Central Asia, the species can be found within the borders of Kazakhstan. It also inhabits the landscapes of Kirgizstan, extending its reach further into the continent. Finally, the distribution includes the territory of Turkmenistan, completing its range across these diverse areas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cistanche salsa is defined by its highly specialized adaptation to extreme and chemically distinct environments. This parasitic plant thrives specifically in limestone-rich substrates, saline places, and swampy areas, where it relies on the presence of specific host plants to survive. Its ability to colonize these challenging habitats, characterized by high mineral content or fluctuating moisture levels, underscores its niche role within these particular ecosystems. By occupying these saline and calcareous niches, Cistanche salsa maintains a unique ecological presence that is closely tied to the availability of its host species within these specialized soil and water conditions.

Habitat :

limestone, saline places, swamps

Life history

The life history of Cistanche salsa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, exhibiting a variable lifecycle that allows it to persist in its specialized ecological niche. As a holoparasitic plant, its biological development is intimately tied to the root systems of its host plants, typically members of the Haloxylon genus. The lifecycle begins with the germination of seeds in the soil, which must quickly locate and attach to the host's roots to establish a parasitic connection for nutrient and water acquisition. Once established, the plant undergoes a period of vegetative growth beneath the soil surface, forming a fleshy rhizome that serves as a storage organ. The reproductive phase is marked by the emergence of large, fleshy, yellowish-to-brownish flowering stalks that rise above the ground. These stalks bear numerous flowers that facilitate pollination, after which seed production occurs to ensure the continuation of the species through subsequent generations.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cistanche salsa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that lacks chlorophyll, as it functions as an obligatory parasite. It is a terrestrial species, ranging from aquatic to semiaquatic environments depending on soil moisture, though it primarily grows in terrestrial habitats. The plant is relatively diminutive in stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m. As a non-epiphyte, it remains strictly terrestrial, developing its structure without relying on other plants for physical support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cistanche salsa is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, which facilitates pollination and genetic diversity. The flowering period for this species typically begins in April and concludes in May, though the specific timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that are remarkably minute, with a consistent seed mass measured at 3e-05 g, representing the mean, maximum, and minimum values recorded for the species.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

3e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cistanche salsa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, stem.

Flower

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Stem

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Chemicals

Cistanche salsa has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acteoside, Echinacoside, Tubuloside B, betaine, 2'-Acetylacteoside.

Acteoside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Echinacoside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Tubuloside B

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

betaine

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

2'-Acetylacteoside

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

6-Deoxycatalpol

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

8-epi-Loganic acid

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cistanche salsa has 152 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Laxative, ACE-Inhibitor, Analgesic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker, AntiBPH.

Laxative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in microbiology

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMS

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Cistanche salsa has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include benign prostatic hyperplasia, impotence, infertility, neurasthenia, neurodegenerative diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations