The broomrape genus (Orobanche L.) is characterized by pronounced biodiversity. Of its 99 species identified so far throughout the world, 26 have been found in Serbia. The species of the Orobanche genus are highly variable and include 56 varieties, 226 forms (a total of 308 taxons), and a number of physiological races adjusted to specific crops. Despite such high biodiversity, 8 species alone are important parasite species in cultivated crops (Orobanche cumana Wallr., O. ramosa L., O. nana Noë, O. muteli Sch., O. minor Sutt., O. lutea Baumg., O. aegyptiaca Pers. and O. crenata Forsk.). Orobanche cumana Wallr. (O. cernua Loefl.) is especially important as a parasite species in sunflower but it is also frequently found growing on the root of tomato, tobacco and some weed plants.