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flax dodder
Scientific Name: Cuscuta epilinum
Family: Cuscutaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Vine, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Flax Dodder (Cuscuta epilinum)
Flax dodder, scientifically known as Cuscuta epilinum, is an annual stem parasitic plant that targets flax and other crops. It's also known as flax vine.
Considerations for Pets
- As a stem parasitic plant, it forms threadlike strands that can tangle.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cuscuta epilinum Weihe
- Common Name: Flax dodder
- Family: Cuscutaceae Dumort.
- Genus: Cuscuta L.
- Synonyms: Cuscuta densiflora Soyer-Willemet
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Flax dodder is a non-native species in some regions, such as Rocky Gap State Park.
- It parasitizes various kinds of wild and cultivated plants, including flax, alfalfa, lespedeza, clover, and potatoes.
Ecological Role
- Flax dodder is considered an intolerable pest and a major economic problem for crops like alfalfa, clover, and flax.
- It is an annual stem parasitic plant.
Morphological Characteristics
- Young dodder plants are threadlike, typically 2-4 inches long.
- It looks like a fat yellow thread tangled in the weeds.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Flax dodder parasitizes flax plants and other crops.
Quirky Facts
- Flax dodder has been featured in historical texts alongside cardamom, as seen in the "Tractatus de herbis" from Italy (1280-1310).
Further Information
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) offers information on Cuscuta epilinum.
- Discover Life provides details on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of flax dodder.
- Information can be found at The British Library.