Orobanche minor ssp minor, the common sub species, has strongly purple/brownish tinged stems and flowers unlike the one photographed here but there is a variety: var flava, usually yellowish in colour which would perhaps correspond to this plant. It could also be ssp maritima which is coastal and lighter in colour. This was parasitic on Daucus carota (Wild carrot) which would correspond with ssp maritima.

O. minor is common in southern England but becomes less common in the north, is rare in Scotland and is mostly eastern in Ireland. It is only usually found near the coast in Wales

L'Ancresse common, Guernsey, 19th June 2004

Added on January 30th 2005, updated 23rd January 2011, updated may 29th 2012