Taxon Report

Aphyllon robbinsii (Heckard ex Colwell & Yatsk.) A.C. Schneid.

Robbins' broomrape

Print Report


© 2017 Dylan Neubauer

Taxon Summary

Aphyllon robbinsii, commonly known as Robbins' broomrape, is a annual herb (achlorophyllous) in the Orobanchaceae that is . It occurs within Coastal bluff scrub, growing at elevations from 0 to 100 meters. Aphyllon robbinsii is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Aphyllon robbinsii (Heckard ex Colwell & Yatsk.) A.C. Schneid.
Common Name:
Robbins' broomrape
Family: Orobanchaceae
Element Code: PDORO040Q0
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb (achlorophyllous)
Blooming Period: Apr-Jul Apr-Jul
Elevation: 0-100 (0-330)
General Habitats: Coastal bluff scrub
Microhabitat: Rocky, Sandy
Microhabitat Details: Rocky or sandy soil on bluffs, cliffs, landslides, or shell mounds; possibly on sand dunes. Its only confirmed host is Eriophyllum staechadifolium.

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 13
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 11
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Marin (MRN), Monterey (MNT), San Francisco (SFO), San Luis Obispo (SLO), San Mateo (SMT), Santa Cruz (SCR)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Montara Mountain (3712254), Monterey (3612158), Piedras Blancas (3512163), Pigeon Point (3712224), Point Sur (3612138), San Francisco North (3712274), San Francisco South (3712264), Santa Cruz (3612281), Soberanes Point (3612148)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 4
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
5 38 %
Non-native plant impacts 2 15%
Other 1 7%
Development 1 7%
Foot traffic/trampling 1 7%

Notes

Threats:
Threatened by development, non-native plants, foot traffic, and herbivores (rodents).
Taxonomy:
Previously identified as A. californicum; differentiated by its smaller flowers, white to cream corollas with pink or purple venation, generally glabrous anther sacs, and growth on Eriophyllum staechadifolium.

Selected References

Proposed addition to CRPR 1B.1 (2023)
Phytoneuron 2016-58: 1–11 (2016)
PhytoKeys 75: 107–118 (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 12 February 2025].