Cistanche Hoffm. & Link

Root parasites totally lacking chlorophyll, fleshy. Stems succulent, simple, often thickened at base. Leaves reduced to fleshy scales. Inflorescence congested, spicate. Flowers simple or subsessile, bracteate, bibracteolate, rather large. Calyx 4- or 5-lobed, persistent; lobes obtuse, rounded, equal or two posterior narrower. Corolla tubular below, funnel-shaped above, more or less curved or bent; limb 5-lobed, spreading, lobes broad, equal or subequal. Fruit a capsule bi-valved. Seeds numerous, minute.

Worldwide: 16 species in southern Europe, Mediterranean, North Africa and West Asia.

Mozambique: 1 taxon.