Three Orobanche species newly found on crops in Israel

Orobanche amethystea Thuill., O. loricata Reichenb. and O. pubescens D'Urv. were found to parasitize the roots of cultivated plants in Israel. Orobanche pubescens is known from the local flora, and was now found to cause damage in parsley fields and to Tropaeolum majus L. (nasturtium) in ornamental gardens. Orobanche amethystea and O. loricata are known as occasional weeds in Europe and were recently found for the first time in Israel. Orobanche amethystea densely populated vetch fields in Israel, and O. loricata was found in ornamental gardens. A key for the identification of Orobanche species in cultivated areas in Israel is given, based on morphological features.