Cancer Root (Orobanche fasciculata)

Family: Orobanchaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Orobanche fasciculata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The entire plant is edible - raw or cooked. The plant can be boiled in ashes then peeled and eaten like potatoes. — The entire plant is edible - raw or cooked.; The plant can be boiled in ashes then peeled and eaten like potatoes.

Habitat & North American Range

Sandy soils, where it is parasitic on the roots of Eriogonum and Artemisia spp, to 3200 metres in California and north to British Columbia. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)