Orobanchaceae FAMILY

Cistanche phelypaea

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Cistanche phelypaea is a perennial, parasitic plant with an erect, unbranched, fleshy stem that is 3 - 5cm thick and swollen at the base; it can grow from 2 - 100cm tall. Roots are absent, the plant attaching itself to its host via small tubers[ 736 Title Flora of West Tropical Africa Publication Author Website http://plants.jstor.org/search?st=2025 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An online flora, not yet complet (2012). Very comprehensive as regards to species covered, but the information on each species is often rather terse. , 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ] The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeMediterranean (only from Portugal to Italy in Europe), extending south into the Sahara in Africa and through the Arabian Peninsula

HabitatParasitic, growing on plants in maritime and sandy inland areas[ 736 Title Flora of West Tropical Africa Publication Author Website http://plants.jstor.org/search?st=2025 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An online flora, not yet complet (2012). Very comprehensive as regards to species covered, but the information on each species is often rather terse. ]. The main host plants are Tamarix gallica, Calligonum comosum and Pulicaria species[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ]