Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Solanales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Convolvulaceae
Genus
Cuscuta L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Cuscuta epithymum (L.) L.
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Cuscuta europaea var. epithymum L.
  • = Cuscuta trifolii Bab.
  • = Cuscuta novae-zelandiae Kirk, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 20: 183 (1888) nom. illeg.
Vernacular Name(s):
Clover dodder; Dodder
 Description

Annual herb; stems very slender, glabrous, pink or reddish, often forming dense twining masses. Scale lvs minute. Infl. a bracteate, sessile head or glomerule, usually 4–8 mm diam. at anthesis. Fls pink to white, sessile, 5-merous. Calyx deeply lobed, 1.5–2 mm long, broad-campanulate; lobes broadly rhombic-ovate or triangular, acute. Corolla 3–4 × c. 2.5 mm; lobes ?-1/2 length of tube, triangular or nearly so, patent, acute or acuminate. Scales < corolla tube, connate over the ovary, strongly fimbriate. Stamens = or slightly < corolla lobes. Styles and stigmas = or > ovary; stigmas linear or filiform. Capsule c. 2 mm diam., depressed-globose. Seeds 2–3, c. 1 mm long, trigonous, alveolate, ± asymmetric at base.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 4 Aug 2011: Unwanted Organisms Register. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/uor
Kirk, T. 1888: On the naturalized dodders and broom-rapes of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 20: 182–185.
Ministry for Primary Industries 23 Feb 2017: Unwanted Organisms Register. Version 02.01.02. https://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor