CUSCUTA EPITHYMUM subsp. EPITHYMUM

Family:- CONVOLVULACEAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Cuscuta (L) A name used by the botanist Rufinus for dodder, from

Arabic keckout.

Epithymum (Gr) Upon thyme. (parasitic).

General description:- Scrambling and entwining parasitic plant.

Stems:-

1) Slender, filiform, much-branched, often reddish or purplish.

Leaves:-

1) Reduced to tiny scales, without chlorophyll.

Flowers:-

1) 3-4(-5) mm (rarely 2·5 mm);, 5-merous, mostly sessile, sometimes shortly

pedicellate; glomerules 7-10 mm in diam, dense, globose, each with a

subacute bract at its base.

2) Calyx, shorter than the corolla-tube, not fleshy.

a) lobes triangular, acute, sometimes lanceolate and acuminate.

3) Corolla-lobes, acute or acuminate to subulate, mostly shorter than the

campanulate tube.

4) Stamens, exserted; anthers often purple-tinged.

5) Scales, spathulate, shorter than the tube, fimbriate, connivent over the ovary.

6) Styles (including stigmas) much longer than ovary.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule enveloped by the corolla.

2) Seeds c. 1 mm.

Key features:-

1) Lobes of calyx and corolla acute to acuminate.

2) Flowers sessile or shortly pedicellate.

3) Styles (including stigmas) much longer than the ovary.

4) Calyx fleshy, reddish.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Parasitic on a wide variety of dwarf shrubs and herbs. 0-1800(-2400) m.

Distribution:- Fairly widespread and common across the Mediterranean.

sporadically scattered across Crete.

Flowering time:- (Apr-)May-Aug.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton