It is native to the forests of western North America,[1] where it is a parasite growing attached to the roots of other plants, usually Holodiscus species.

This plant has an erect stem with a wide, thickened base and slender top growing 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8 in) tall.

As a parasite taking its nutrients from a host plant, it lacks leaves and chlorophyll and is brownish or yellowish in color.

The inflorescence is a dense, spreading array of purple-tinged yellowish flowers 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) long.

"The reproductive biology and host specificity of Orobanche pinorum Geyer (Orobanchaceae)".