Family: Orobanchaceae Genus: Bellardia  

Species: Bellardia trixago (L.) All.

Common Name(s): Mediterranean rampion, trixago bartsia

.

Bellardia trixago is a small delicate plant native to the entire Mediterranean basin and is now present in South Africa, South America, and Australia. This plant is commonly found in open, sunny habitats such as fields, meadows, grasslands, and disturbed areas. It prefers well-drained soils and is often found in dry or sandy locations.93

Traditional Medicine

Although Mediterranean rampion doesn’t have a large history of medicinal use, other species of the genus Bellardia are used in traditional medicine to cure backaches and menstrual problems, and as an antipyretic used against the human immunodeficiency virus.94

Ecology

The plant is “hemi-parasitic” in that it can carry out photosynthesis, but also connects its shallow roots to those of host plants and relies on these host plants to obtain necessary nutrients for survival.95