Orobanche coerulescens
Orobanche coerulescens, commonly known as the blue broomrape, is a fascinating holoparasitic plant that lacks chlorophyll. Lacking the ability to photosynthesize, it survives by extracting nutrients directly from host roots. While not widely used in mainstream medicine, its unique parasitic biology offers significant interest for botanical and pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Orobanche coerulescens
- Family: Orobanchaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is categorized within the order Lamiales and the family Orobanchaceaae. Ultimately, its taxonomic classification concludes within the genus Orobanche.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Orobanchaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Orobanche | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Orobanche coerulescens, is recognized by various common names depending on the language and region. In German, it is referred to as the Bläuliche Sommerwurzel, while in Polish, it is called Zaraza błękitnawa. In Upper Sorbian, the name used is Namódra hubinka. Furthermore, in Chinese, it is known as 紫花列当, a name that is also utilized in its traditional character form as 紫花列當 in Taiwan.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Bläuliche Sommerwurz | Wikidata |
| pl | Zaraza błękitnawa | Wikidata |
| hsb | Namódra hubinka | Wikidata |
| zh | 紫花列当 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 紫花列當 | Wikidata |
| ja | ハマウツボ | Wikidata |
| hu | kékes vajvirág | Wikidata |
| cs | záraza namodralá | Wikidata |
| lzh | 列當 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 紫花列当 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is distributed across several regions within Middle Europe. In the western part of this area, it can be found in Germany. Moving eastward, its range extends through the territories of Austria and Hungary. The species is also documented within the borders of Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, its geographical presence reaches into Poland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Krym | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | East European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Orobanche coerulescens, is a parasitic species characterized by its lack of chlorophyll, meaning it does not possess traditional green leaves or roots like autotrophic plants. For medicinal or botanical study, the whole plant is often examined to understand its unique life cycle, though it is primarily identified by its distinctive structure. In pharmaceutical preparations, the most commonly utilized part is the dried fleshy stem, which contains the concentrated bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic applications.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried fleshy stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Orobanche coerulescens has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2'-acetylacteoside, D-mannitol, acteoside, auxin, beta-sitosterol.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2'-acetylacteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-mannitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| auxin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| crenatoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| daucosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gibberellins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoacteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Orobanche coerulescens has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include impotence.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| impotence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |