''Triphysaria versicolor'' is a species of flowering plant in the family

Orobanchaceae Orobanchaceae, the broomrapes, is a family of mostly parasitic plants of the order Lamiales, with about 90 genera and more than 2000 species. Many of these genera (e.g., '' Pedicularis'', '' Rhinanthus'', '' Striga'') were formerly included in ...

known by the common name yellowbeak owl's-clover. It is native to the west coast of North America from

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include ...

to central

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...

, where it grows in

grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush ( Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...

habitat.

Description

''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 In botany and mycology, a haustorium (plural haustoria) is a rootlike structure that grows into or around another structure to absorb water or nutrients. For example, in mistletoe or members of the broomrape family, the structure penetrates th ...

to tap nutrients. The leaves are up to 8 centimeters long and are divided into a few narrow, pointed lobes. The

inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed ...

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

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment of ''Triphysaria versicolor''UC Photos gallery: ''Triphysaria versicolor''
Orobanchaceae Flora of British Columbia Flora of California Flora of Oregon Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Orobanchaceae-stub