The root parasitic weeds Phelipanche ramosa (branched broomrape) and P. aegyptiaca have the widest host range among Orobanche and Phelipanche species. In Western Europe, P. ramosa attacks, with increasing aggressiveness, crops such as oilseed rape, tobacco, hemp, and tomato. The unique biology of root parasites, establishes a closed link with their host plant, thus reducing the possibility to successfully control them. Control measures include (a) physical processes (such as weeding, solarization, deep ploughing, burning off, flooding), (b) chemical (like soil fumigation, use of herbicides, germination stimulants) and (c) biological methods (e. g. resistant varieties, use of fungi and insects as antagonists, trap and catch crops). German tobacco growers rely mostly on the herbicide method. They apply glyphosate in very low concentrations, when the first tubercles are formed. Also a fungal antagonist against the parasitic weed on tobacco was found in Germany, but until now has not been developed into a commercial mycoherbicide. After hemp production lost its significance as a crop in Germany, tobacco remained as the main host for P. ramosa. In the past 10 years, branched broomrape has spread out and currently it can be found in areas where previously were free of it. Since the elimination of EU subsidies, some tobacco growers began to cultivate on their land parsley instead of tobacco. As a result, parsley has now been infected with P. ramosa. When used 10 years ago as catch crop, parsley had a rather small effect on branched broomrape. This potential danger, especially by other potential host plants, such as oilseed rape, tomato and potato or even weeds should not be underestimated. Spread and expansion of the host plant spectrum of branched broomrape in Germany might be reduced by the introduction of appropriate phytosanitary measures and improved information policies.