Family:

Rafflesiaceae

Habitat:

Maquis and garigue, sunny-dry places, mainly on pink-flowered rock roses

Growth habit:

parasitic

Plant size:

4 - 8 cm high

Flower colour:

pink to white

Flowering time

April - July

Leaf characteristics:

fleshy, scale-like, ovate-oblong, scale leaves scarlet coloured, densely roof tile-like

Flower characteristics:

5 - 10 flowers at the stem end, lower flowers female, upper flowers male, perianth whitish to pale pink, short-haired, four-lobed, 1 pistil with button-shaped end, 8 stamens united to form a column

Fruits:

fleshy, with numerous seeds

Special features:

The plant is fully parasitic, perennial and without green organs (leafless). The stem is densely covered with crimson-coloured, fleshy scales. Its shoots grow together in groups (nests). The red rock-rose shrikeworm parasitises on pink-flowered rock roses and is less common than the yellow rock-rose shrikeworm.