Species Louisiana Broomrape
brown foliage

Louisiana Broomrape

Aphyllon ludovicianum

Louisiana Broomrape (Aphyllon ludovicianum) is a small flowering plant native to the southeastern United States. It has a scaly yellow flower with five petals and can reach up to eight inches tall. The plant parasitizes nearby shrubs and can cause them harm, so it must be grown carefully and closely monitored for signs of infection. The flowers also produce nectar that attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This plant is very hard to spot because it lacks leaves and has a yellowish-orange stem. It is a perennial so it will bloom for several years if cared for properly. Louisiana Broomrape is a beautiful and unususal plant that can add a vibrant touch to any garden.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

brown,black Fruits Ready In Fall

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Louisiana Broomrape should be watered lightly and only occasionally. When watering, it is best to do so in the morning, so the water has time to dry out by the end of the day. The amount of water Louisiana Broomrape needs can vary depending on soil type and environmental conditions. Generally, if the soil is dry to the touch, you should water it thoroughly. In arid climates, it may need to be watered up to once a week, while in more humid areas, it may only need watering every few weeks. It is important to monitor the soil and adjust the watering accordingly.

sunlight

Louisiana Broomrape (Aphyllon ludovicianum) is a plant species that thrives best in full sun for at least 6 hours a day. It prefers morning and late afternoon sunlight, since the direct midday sunlight can be too much for this species. During the summer months, Louisiana Broomrape enjoys as much as 8 hours of direct sunlight if temperatures allow. In winter months, however, the direct sunlight is less intense, so it should get 4 to 6 hours of seasonal sunlight. Louisiana Broomrape also benefits from light shade, which can protect the plant from direct, mid-day sun.

pruning

Louisiana Broomrape (Aphyllon ludovicianum) should generally be pruned in late winter or early spring. This is the ideal time for pruning this plant because it will help encourage strong, healthy new growth for the upcoming growing season. To properly prune Louisiana Broomrape, start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Then, prune back any growth that is leggy or has become spindly. This selective pruning will help to keep the Louisiana Broomrape in shape and will open up the center of the plant to allow new shoots to develop. Finally, light thinning can be done of heavy branches and foliage if needed. This will help to increase light interception and will give the plant a more even shape. As a general rule, it is best to only remove up to 1-third of the plant’s total foliage during the pruning process. Overall, it is important to be mindful not to over-prune Louisiana Broomrape as it can make the plant more susceptible to pests and disease. Pruning can also be done after new growth to help shape the plant and remove any unwanted foliage.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Aphyllon ludovicianum typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Aphyllon ludovicianum is typically in the months of June, July, and August.