Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor var. maritima) is a very odd-looking plant. There were quite a number of them growing on the dunes at Swansea Bay and I nearly overlooked them, thinking that they were the decomposing stems of some kind of dead orchid. The whole plant lacks chlorophyll so it cannot manufacture food for itself and is entirely parasitic on the roots of either Sea Carrot or Sea Holly which occur frequently there.
Jessica's Nature Blog 
Beautiful and fascinating.
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Thank you, Puzzleblume.
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Interesting to see this curiosity. Some of the flowers look just like little faces.
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Yes, I thought the flowers were intriguing, too.
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Strangely beautiful plant. I occasionally see broomrapes in southern California, although they seem to be fairly rare. There’s a bright red species that I still haven’t managed to see yet.
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Thank you, Evolving Naturalist. There is always so much to discover and learn.
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