Native Habitat:
Open forests, grasslands, and chaparral in western North America, including the Willamette Valley. Often parasitizes the roots of native shrubs and herbaceous plants.
 
Bloom Time:
April – July
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Perennial herb, 6–24 inches tall, lacking chlorophyll and entirely dependent on host plants for nutrients. Produces erect, spindly stems with tubular yellow to purple flowers arranged in spikes.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; grows in well-drained soils where host plants are present. Requires proximity to compatible host species to survive.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Various native shrubs and perennials, particularly those in the Asteraceae and Fabaceae families, including Achillea millefolium, Lupinus spp., and Eriophyllum lanatum.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds ecological intrigue and specialized habitat value to native plant gardens, particularly in naturalistic or restoration plantings. Functions as a rare and interesting component in habitat-focused landscapes.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees and specialized pollinators. Its presence contributes to ecological diversity by interacting with host plants and associated insect communities.
 
Historical Use:
Used minimally by Indigenous peoples due to its parasitic nature; valued primarily today for ecological and educational purposes in native plant and restoration gardens.