Triphysaria versicolor, commonly known as Yellowbeak Owl’s-Clover, is an annual herb that is native to the grasslands and open meadows of the west coast of North America, ranging from British Columbia to central California. It typically grows up to 24 inches tall and is a facultative root parasite, meaning it can derive nutrients from the roots of other plants but is also capable of photosynthesis. The leaves of Yellowbeak Owl’s-Clover are finely dissected into narrow, pointed lobes, creating a feathery appearance. During its flowering season in spring, it produces a dense spike of showy flowers. Each flower has a distinctive white corolla with a beaklike yellow-tinged upper lip, which is quite attractive when in bloom.

In cultivation, Yellowbeak Owl’s-Clover is valued for its unique parasitic nature and its ornamental flowers. It is often used in wildflower meadows and naturalistic plantings where it can establish relationships with host plants. This species prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soils. It is relatively low maintenance, but because it is a root parasite, it may not be suitable for all garden settings. There are no popular garden cultivars of this species, and it is generally grown from seed. Potential problems include its parasitic nature, which can be detrimental to certain co-planted species. It is not known to be invasive outside its native range, but gardeners should be cautious about planting it near sensitive species.CC BY-SA 4.0