With many diverse species, from the woodland-dwelling toothwort to the hardy desert hyacinth, the Orobanchaceae family of striking and unusual plants can be found in every biome in the world but often pose a challenge for identification. This thorough, practical guide is focused on the species that are entirely dependent on their host for nutrients, revealing the taxonomically challenging species with clarity and precision to experts and amateurs alike.Parasitic plants contain some of the most bizarre and fascinating organisms in the plant kingdom which have attracted attention for millennia. They have been studied by the ancient Greeks and used throughout history through to the modern day as herbal medicine, ingredients in recipes, ink for writing and dye for textiles.Illustrated throughout with 600 colour photographs, each species profile includes habit, morphology, ecology, distribution, key diagnostics and similar species. Introductory chapters cover the life cycle, biology, morphology, reproduction, habitats, ecology, distribution, traditional uses and conservation of broomrapes around the world.