Triphysaria versicolor

Triphysaria versicolor is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae known by the common name yellowbeak owl's-clover.[1]

Triphysaria versicolor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Orobanchaceae
Genus: Triphysaria
Species:
T. versicolor
Binomial name
Triphysaria versicolor

It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to central California, where it grows in grassland habitat.

Description

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Triphysaria versicolor is an annual herb producing a green or yellowish stem up to about 60 centimeters in maximum height. Like many species in its family it is a facultative root parasite on other plants, attaching to their roots via haustoria to tap nutrients. The leaves are up to 8 centimeters long and are divided into a few narrow, pointed lobes.

The inflorescence is a dense spike of flowers. Each flower has a white corolla 1 or 2 centimeters long with a beaklike, yellow-tinged upper lip and a wider lower lip which is divided into three pouches. The lower lip may have purple spots underneath.

References

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  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Triphysaria versicolor​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
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