By Varney5
Berkshire,
United Kingdom 
Could anyone identify this plant please? It grows by the river in SW France and doesn't appear to have any leaves. The photo was taken in March 2014. Many thanks
18 Apr, 2014
Answers
Thank you so much! Will immediately consult my RHS encyclopaedia!!
18 Apr, 2014
Thank you so much! Have now found out exactly what it is, Lathraea Clandestina or Purple Toothwort. Have been trying to find out for months and two hours after joining this forum, I have the answer!
18 Apr, 2014
I think it might be one of the broomrape plants. they are parasitic hence the lack of leaves. probably purple broomrape. common in the channel islands so I suspect it will be found in France too.
18 Apr, 2014