Thulin, M. (2006) Orobanche in Flora of Somalia 3: 296-297
Plants parasitic herbs, often fleshy, never green. Leaves scalelike, few to many. Inflorescences terminal spikes or racemes, with few to many flowers; bracts present, scalelike; bracteoles 2 or absent. Calyces campanulate, with (2-)4-5 acute teeth, sometimes split to the base into 2 free segments; corollas tubular to funnel-shaped, with 2-lipped limbs, upper lips 2-lobed, lower lips 3-lobes; stamens included, 4; ovaries 1-celled, with 4 placentas; stigmas 2-lobed, peltate, or funnel-shaped. Fruits ovoid, loculicidal capsules; seeds subglobose, minute.
Orobanche includes about 150 species. It is best represented in temperate or subtropical regions of the northern hemisphere.