Orobanche ramosa stem base

The base of an Orobanche ramosa stem is pale, the branches dull dark purple but here not quite to the base.

The stem-clutching leaves are stalkless and triangular with acutely pointed tips. They are from 3 mm to 10 mm long. The leaves are small and called scale-like, devoid of chlorophyll, thus incapable of photosynthesis, rendering the plant fully dependent upon its host for nutrition.

Flanking the open flower in picture that is white inside its mouth are two clusters of buds, bracts and bracteoles, promising more side-branch flowers later (Wikipedia; www.cabi.org; www.texasinvasives.org).