Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Solanales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Convolvulaceae
Genus
Cuscuta L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Cuscuta campestris Yunck. (1932)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Cuscuta arvensis var. calycina (Engelm.) Engelm. (1859)
  • ≡ Cuscuta pentagona var. calycina Engelm.
  • = Cuscuta pentagona var. subulata Yunck.
 Description

Annual herb; stems filiform, commonly yellow or orange, often forming dense masses. Scale lvs minute. Infl. a bracteate, sessile, globose head or glomerule 5–10 mm diam. at anthesis. Fls whitish, shortly pedicellate, 5-merous. Calyx deeply lobed, c. 1.5 mm long, broad-campanulate; lobes suborbicular to broad-ovate, obtuse. Corolla c. 3 mm long; lobes c. = tube, triangular, acute or shortly acuminate, patent. Scales > corolla tube and reaching stamens, free, prominently fimbriate. Stamens < corolla lobes. Styles slightly < or = ovary; stigma subcapitate. Capsule 2–3 mm diam., depressed-globose. Seeds 2–4, c. 1.5 mm long, angular, very finely reticulate.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Jan.–Mar.

 Bibliography
Costea, M.; Nesom, G.L.; Stefanović, S. 2006: Taxonomy of the Cuscuta pentagona complex (Convolvulaceae) in North America. Sida 22(1): 151–175.
Edgar, E. 1986: Poa L. in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 24: 425–503.