Orobanchaceae

Broomrape Family

Paintbrushes

FAMILY: Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) – Castilleja genus. The Castilleja genus was formerly placed in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae).

SPECIES: #1 Wyoming paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia Benth.). #2 marsh-meadow paintbrush (Castilleja lineata Greene). #3 scarlet or giant red paintbrush (Castilleja miniata Douglas ex Hook.). #4 Great Plains Indian paintbrush or downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora Pursh).

TO UTILIZE AS FOOD: Warning! Paintbrushes are known to concentrate selenium and other elements from the soil that render them toxic in quantity. These plants are partial parasites that have the ability to grow in soils where concentrations of certain elements and compounds are too stressful for other plants.

All species listed above have edible flowers. Other parts are inedible. Most species in the Castilleja genus remain undocumented in ethnobotanical literature. However, all species in the genus may have edible flowers (Kirk p. 77 and Vizgirdas p. 174). Paintbrush flowers are usually hidden among colorful bracts that are easily mistaken for flowers. Although the bracts can be eaten, they should probably be discarded. The corollas, stamens, and pistils are more suitable for consumption. Paintbrush corollas look like long narrow tubes inside other tubes (called calyces) that are subtended by the bracts. Pulling the corollas out of the calyces is easy. Based on the species sampled for this reference (see the notes below), paintbrush corollas are suitable for salads. Reserves of sweet nectar intended for hummingbirds and other pollinators are found at the bases of the corolla tubes. Careful gathering can yield intact corollas—including the nectar reserves. Entire flower heads can also be gathered and submerged in water to liberate the nectar. Boiling off the excess water concentrates sweetness and yields a delicious beverage. Corollas of several species taste sweet. Unappealing aspects are primarily in the bracts and calyces. Some species have resinous or medicine-like overtones that some people may find objectionable. Flower textures are usually soft, except for the filaments, which tend to be stringy. Overall, paintbrushes are common plants that should be regarded with caution.

NOTES: The corollas of several Castilleja species were sampled during the fieldwork conducted for this reference including: desert paintbrush (C. chromosa), owl clover (C. exserta), scarlet paintbrush (C. miniata), Wyoming paintbrush (C. linariifolia), splitleaf paintbrush (C. rhexiifolia), rough paintbrush (C. scabrida), sulphur paintbrush (C. sulphurea), and sticky paintbrush (C. viscidula). Please note that most of these species are not reported to be edible. Sticky species tasted inferior to nonsticky species, but this correlation probably doesn’t apply to the entire genus. Wyoming paintbrush (C. linariifolia) is the state flower of Wyoming and the largest of all species, often 6-9 decimeters tall.

IDENTIFICATION: The Castilleja genus is highly complex, consisting of about 150 to 200 species in the United States, primarily in the central and western regions. As a group, paintbrushes have a distinctive look that’s easy to recognize. Complications arise when attempting to identify the multitudes of species.

Description of paintbrushes (the Castilleja genus): FORM annual or perennial plants, sometimes woody at the bases, and often parasitic; LEAVES simple; alternate; sessile; margins entire to pinnately divided; surfaces with or without sticky hairs; FLOWERS red, orange, pink, purple, yellow, or other colors; irregular, perfect, ovary superior, and arranged in spikes or spike-like racemes; bracts colorful, often more so than the corollas; calyces tubular, 2-lipped, 4-lobed, and colorful; corollas tubular, 2-lipped, and usually greenish; upper lips forming narrow hoods (galea) over the pistils and stamens; pistils 1; styles 1; stigmas 2, often united into heads; stamens 4, all fertile; FRUITS capsules splitting lengthwise; HABITAT diverse; blooming spring to autumn.

REFERENCES: Donald Kirk (p. 77) and Ray Vizgirdas (p. 174) suggest that the flowers of all Castilleja species may be edible. #1 Wyoming paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia): flowers Couplan (p. 391). #2 marsh-meadow paintbrush (Castilleja lineata): flowers Moerman (p. 76). #3 scarlet paintbrush (Castilleja miniata): flowers Moerman (p. 76). #4 Great Plains Indian paintbrush (Castilleja sessiliflora): flowers Moerman (p. 76).

Broomrapes

FAMILY: Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) – Orobanche genus.

SPECIES: #1 California broomrape (Orobanche californica Cham. & Schltdl.). #2 Cooper’s or desert broomrape (Orobanche cooperi (A. Gray) A. Heller). #3 clustered or purple broomrape; or cancer-root (Orobanche fasciculata Nutt.). #4 Louisiana broomrape (Orobanche ludoviciana Nutt. ssp. ludoviciana = Orobanche multiflora Nutt. var. arenosa (Suksd.) Munz). #5 many-flowered broomrape (Orobanche ludoviciana Nutt. ssp. multiflora (Nutt.) T. S. Collins ex H. L. White & W. C. Holmes = Orobanche multiflora Nutt.). #6 naked or one-flowered broomrape (Orobanche uniflora L.).

TO UTILIZE AS FOOD: The succulent stems of broomrapes are edible fresh, but cooking is recommended to reduce any laxative action. In the past, entire plants were baked in hot ashes, mashed, and then eaten like potatoes. The following notes are based on species #2 and #3. The other species were not located.

California broomrape (O. californica) grows primarily in California and Oregon. Foragers may encounter it almost anywhere in these states. It’s a native species in season from July to November.

Desert broomrape (O. cooperi) is a fine plant to encounter along sandy washes in the Mojave Desert. The stems, which are mostly subterranean, are the best part for consumption. Below ground, the stems are white, tan, or yellowish. Above ground, they’re purplish-black. The transition is striking. Desert broomrape stems are thick, tender, moist, crisp, fleshy, stringy, starchy, and mild flavored. A medicinal overtone may also be present. Stems are easily broken by hand or cut with a knife. Peeling the skins is recommended to minimize bitterness. Prepared stems are similar to stringy mashed potatoes with a bitter accent. Nothing in the area is more similar to potatoes. The stems are a prime candidate for steaming, baking, or fire roasting. The stringy texture is annoying, but the strings are harmless. Desert broomrape grows in clusters that look suspiciously like overgrown asparagus (except for the color). The flavor is definitely better than asparagus. Of course, the flavor of just about anything is better than asparagus! There’s no doubt that desert broomrape was an important resource for Native Americans living along the lower Colorado River. The stems are easy to harvest, easy to process, and high in carbohydrates that become sticky upon drying. They’re usually available from March to June. Desert broomrape is a remarkable source of moisture. Even long after winter rains subside. Its succulence is a contradiction. Nothing but drifting sand as far as the eyes can see, not a drop of water around, and there’s desert broomrape, standing like a drinking fountain in the sand. Anyone braving the desert should know about this plant. The stems can be wrung like a washcloth or simply chewed for moisture. Broomrapes are despised weeds that deserve a better reputation. They obtain resources partially from other plants and convert those resources into a form useful to humans. Host plants are rarely harmed in the process. Desert broomrape grows from southern California to New Mexico and northward to southern Utah and Nevada. Overall, desert broomrape is a valuable plant that foragers can appreciate.

Clustered broomrape (O. fasciculata) is an excellent wild food. The stem bases are thick, moist, tender, succulent, starchy, potato-like, slightly bitter, and lighter colored than the upper stems. A few strings may be present, but the texture is otherwise delicate, chewable, and softer than celery. The protective skins are slightly tougher, but essentially the same. Simmering the stem bases produces a neon-yellow broth of similar flavor combined with a medicinal overtone. The potato-like character is subtle in this species and the starchy quality is bland. No harsh, acrid, soapy, or unusual flavors degrade clustered broomrape. The stem bases cook with remarkable speed and a sense of urgency. They’re practically done before they’re hot. Clustered broomrape is found throughout the western United States and in season from May to August. Overall, clustered broomrape is a valuable wild food that couldn’t be common enough despite its reputation as a weed.

Louisiana broomrape (O. ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana) grows throughout most of the central and western United States. Ironically, it does not grow in Louisiana.

Many-flowered broomrape (O. ludoviciana ssp. multiflora) grows in scattered locations over the same area that Louisiana broomrape grows. These species inhabit creosote, mesquite, sagebrush, rabbitbrush and juniper communities.

One-flowered broomrape (O. uniflora) is a mountain species found throughout most of the United States, except for the central portion. Foragers may find it blooming from May to July.

IDENTIFICATION: The Orobanche genus is represented by about 15 species in the United States, of which about 10 occur in the Southwest. The nongreen appearance of these plants is distinctive. Only a handful of plants lack green coloring. Broomrapes are typically white, yellow, pink, purple, or light brown. The asparagus-like stems are mostly subterranean and rise 4-30 cm above ground only to bloom and reproduce when conditions are favorable. Flower color is highly variable and often a combination of several colors. Nothing else has a similar appearance.

Description of broomrapes (the Orobanche genus): FORM small, nongreen, annual or perennial, parasitic plants; surfaces often covered with sticky (glandular-pilose) hairs; stems fleshy and mostly subterranean; LEAVES simple; alternate; blades scale-like; FLOWERS irregular, perfect, ovary superior, and arranged in terminal spikes, racemes, or panicles; calyces deeply 5-lobed, the narrow teeth about equal; corollas 2-lipped, 5-lobed, white, yellow, pink, or purple; stigmas 2-4 lobed; stamens 4, arranged in 2 pairs of unequal length (didynamous), and attached to the corollas (epipetalous); FRUITS capsules 1-celled; seeds numerous; HABITAT diverse; throughout the Southwest; blooming all year.

REFERENCES: #1 California broomrape (Orobanche californica): entire plant Vizgirdas (pp. 52-53). #2 desert broomrape (Orobanche cooperi): roots and stems Ebeling (pp. 391-393) and Hodgson (p. 215). #3 clustered broomrape (Orobanche fasciculata): entire plant Vizgirdas (pp. 52-53); roots and stems Chamberlin (p. 361, cited as Aphyllon fasciculatum), Ebeling (p. 855), and Hodgson (p. 215). #4 Louisiana broomrape (Orobanche ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana = Orobanche multiflora var. arenosa): roots and stems Couplan (pp. 394-395) and Ebeling (p. 855). #5 manyflower broomrape (Orobanche ludoviciana ssp. multiflora = Orobanche multiflora): plants (part unspecified) Moerman (p. 168). #6 one-flowered broomrape (Orobanche uniflora): entire plant Vizgirdas (pp. 52-53).