"So, naturalists observe, a flea has smaller fleas that on him prey; and these have smaller still to bite ’em; and so proceed ad infinitum."
- Jonathan Swift

July 25, 2010

July 25 - Orobranche californica

Some parasites are quite pretty - particularly parasitic plants, like Orobranche californica, California broomrape. These plants do not have leaves or chlorophyll and take their nutrients from their hosts, in this case, goldenrods and sagebrushes. This species grows all along the west coast of North America. It is currently divided into several subspecies based on habitat and host preferences.

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