Λευκή Οροβάγχη η κυπραία
Etymology of Orobanche alba subsp. cuprea: The name of the genus, "Orobanche", derives from the Ancient Greek "ὀροβάγχη", from "ὄροβος" [orovos] meaning "vetch" and the verb "ἄγχω" [ancho] meaning "throttle", hence "the vetch throttler", referring to the effect the Orobanche have on their hosts, as they are aggressive root-parasitic weeds exploiting other plants for water, assimilates, and nutrients from their roots. Latin "alba" means "white", even though Orobanche alba is maroon-red. "Cuprea" is a corruption of the word "Κυπραία" [Kyprea] which derives from the Cypriot dialect and means female "Cypriot".
It is estimated that around 14 Orobanche taxa (13 species and 1 subspecies) exist in Cyprus.
Orobanche alba subsp. cuprea is an indigenous, near-endemic plant in Cyprus (it is also found in Turkey), which is encountered in Southwestern Cyprus. Orobanche alba subspecies cuprea's flowering period is between March and May. The specimen of the picture was photographed at Orites locality (Pafos) at an altitude of 350 metres.
How to identify Orobanche alba subspecies cuprea
The fact that Orobanche alba subsp. cuprea is maroon-red/yellow could be enough to distinguish it from the rest.
Additionally, bracteoles are absent, its stem is not branched, and its corolla has 2 conspicuous yellow folds on the lower lip.
