Lathraea squamaria - Common Toothwort

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Lamiales - Family: Orobanchaceae

Although formerly considered to be a member of the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, Common Toothwort is now placed within the broomrape family Orobanchaceae; broomrapes (Orobanchae species) are also parasitic plants.

Description

This rather sombre-looking perennial plant is parastitic on the roots of trees. It has no leaves above ground, and the two-lipped flowers appear on very short leafless stems. Often the flowers have a pale mauve tinge. Plants are usually 10 to 25mm tall and the stems usually arch under the weight of their flowers.

Habitat

This parasitic plant grows in shady damp deciduous woodlands and occasionally in hedgerows. It forms an association with hardwood trees such as Alder, Sycamore, Hazel and Beech.

Distribution

You could find Common Toothwort in most parts of Britain and Ireland, but it is rarely recorded in East Anglia, the Westcoutry and northern Scotland. On mainand Europe this wildflower is an occasional find in most parts of central Europe. The specimens shown on this page were found in Slovenia.

Flowering Times

Common Toothwort produces its flowers in springtime, and in Britain they are seen mainly in April and May.

Etymology

The generic name Lathraea comes from the Greek word lathraios and means hidden - a reference to the underground parasitic nature of this plant. The specifc epithet squamaria means 'scaly' and refers to the underground scale-like leaves of this pllant.

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