Striga gesnerioides

Striga gesnerioides
Close-up of flowers
Habit
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Orobanchaceae
Genus: Striga
Species:
S. gesnerioides
Binomial name
Striga gesnerioides
Synonyms
List
    • Buchnera gesnerioides Willd.
    • Buchnera hydrabadensis Roth
    • Buchnera orobanchoides R.Br. ex Endl.
    • Campuleia coerulea Bojer ex Benth.
    • Campuleia rosea Bojer ex Benth.
    • Chorobanche indica C.Presl
    • Harveya varia Hook. ex Steud.
    • Microsyphus parviflorus C.Presl
    • Orobanche indica Spreng.
    • Orobanche varia E.Mey. ex Steud.
    • Psammostachys varia C.Presl
    • Striga chloroleuca Dinter
    • Striga gesnerioides var. arondensis M.R.Almeida
    • Striga gesnerioides var. minor Santapau
    • Striga orchidea Hochst. ex Benth.
    • Striga orobanchoides (R.Br. ex Endl.) Benth.
    • Striga scottiana Jeeva, Shyn.Brintha & Rasingam

Striga gesnerioides, the cowpea witchweed, also called the indigo, purple, or tobacco witchweed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian Subcontinent, and it has been introduced to Florida. An erect subshrub, it is found in the seasonally dry tropics. As its common name suggests, it is a serious root hemiparasite of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), and related species, especially affecting subsistence farmers.

References

  1. 1 2 "Striga gesnerioides (Willd.) Vatke". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Striga gesnerioides (Willd.) Vatke". The Portal. India Biodiversity Portal. 2026. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Abdullahi, Wajiha M.; Dianda, Mahamadi; Boukar, Ousmane; Dieng, Ibnou; Mohammed, Gaya S.; Belko, Nouhoun; Togola, Abou; Muhammad, Hayat; Kanampiu, Fred; Giller, Ken E.; Vanlauwe, Bernard (2022). "Integrated management of Striga gesnerioides in cowpea using resistant varieties, improved crop nutrition and rhizobium inoculants". Plant and Soil. 473 (1–2): 197–213. doi:10.1007/s11104-022-05295-7. hdl:10568/119523.