Photos: Abbey Hill, the Burren, Co. Clare

Thyme Broomrape Orobanche alba Múchóg dhearg Family: Orobanchaceae Flowering June-August. Annual (or possibly perennial). Native. Parasitic on the roots of Thyme, Thymus drucei. Short spikes of red-flushed creamy-yellow flowers with the stigma-lobes partially fused and glandular hairs on lower lip. Purplish-red stems. Height 10-25cm. (Photographs show plant dying back after flowering.) Very local and population size varies from year to year. Mainly base-rich rocky slopes near north and west Irish coasts where Thyme is present Similar: Common Broomrape, O. minor, Ivy Broomrape, O. hederae

Thyme Broomrape, Orobanche alba, Múchóg dhearg