Cancer Root, Clustered broomrape

Orobanche fasciculata

Physical Characteristics

Orobanche fasciculata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Western N. America - Indiana to Yukon and British Columbia, south to California and Arizona.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: The entire plant is edible - raw or cooked[46, 61, 105, 161, 257]. The plant can be boiled in ashes then peeled and eaten like potatoes[257].

Medicinal Uses

Antihaemorrhoidal Cancer Pectoral Poultice Salve The root is pectoral[257]. The chewed root has been used as a dressing on wounds and open sores[257]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a wash on sores[257]. Forms of the plant that are parasitic on sweet sage roots have been used as a treatment of cancer[257]. The dried and powdered plant is inserted in the rectum as a specific treatment for haemorrhoids[257].

Known Hazards

None known