Taxon Report

Aphyllon validum (Jeps.) A.C. Schneid. ssp. validum

Rock Creek broomrape

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Taxon Summary

Aphyllon validum ssp. validum, commonly known as Rock Creek broomrape, is a perennial herb (parasitic) in the Orobanchaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 1030 to 2000 meters. Aphyllon validum ssp. validum is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Aphyllon validum (Jeps.) A.C. Schneid. ssp. validum
Common Name:	Rock Creek broomrape
Family:	Orobanchaceae
Element Code:	PDORO040G2
USDA Plants Symbol:	ORVAV
Synonyms/Other Names:	Orobanche valida ssp. valida

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb (parasitic)
Blooming Period: May-Sep	May-Sep
Elevation:	1030-2000 (3380-6560)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:	Granitic
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G4T2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	SB_CalBG/RSABG; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	12
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	3
Good (B)	2
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	7

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX), San Bernardino (SBD), Ventura (VEN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Azusa (3411728), Chilao Flat (3411831), Crystal Lake (3411737), Mt. Baldy (3411726), Telegraph Peak (3411735), Topatopa Mountains (3411951), Valyermo (3411747)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	5
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	6	50 %
Road/trail construction/maint.	5	41%
Foot traffic/trampling	2	16%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	2	16%
Erosion/runoff	1	8%
Non-native plant impacts	1	8%

Notes



Possibly threatened by non-native plants, trail maintenance, and recreational activities. Parasitic on various chaparral shrubs. Angeles NF has adopted species management guidelines. See Madroño 1(17):255-256 (1929) for original description, Fremontia 11(1):16-18 (1983) for discussion of rediscovery (1979), and Madroño 29(2):95-100 (1982) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Non-Substantive Name Changes: Orobanche to Aphyllon (2023)

Phytokeys 75: 10-118 (2016)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 31 October 2025].