No images found for this plant ID: 12965.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "12965" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

Safe for Dogs?

Safe for Cats?

Safe for Reptiles?

bushclover dodder

Scientific Name: Cuscuta pentagona var. glabrior

Family: Cuscutaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Vine, Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Other Names:

       

Bushclover Dodder

Bushclover Dodder is a parasitic plant found in North America, recognized by its ability to attach to and derive nutrients from a variety of host plants.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Accepted Scientific Name: Cuscuta pentagona Engelm.
  • Common Names: Bushclover Dodder, Field Dodder, Five-angled Dodder, Prairie Dodder, Lespedeza Dodder, Pentagon Dodder

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Cuscutaceae
  • Synonyms:
    • Cuscuta arvensis (synonym of Cuscuta campestris)
    • Grammica campestris
    • Grammica pentagona
    • Cuscuta glabrior (Taxonomic status: Synonym of Cuscuta glabrior (Engelm.) Yunck)
  • Varieties:
    • Cuscuta pentagona var. pentagona
    • Cuscuta pentagona var. glabrior (Engelm.) Gandhi, R.D. Thomas & S.L. Hatch
    • Cuscuta pentagona var. pubescens (Engelm.) Yunck.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to North America.
  • Also found in Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa).

Ecological Role

  • Parasitic vine that obtains nutrients from host plants.
  • Has a wide range of hosts, particularly in the aster family.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Vine, Forb/herb growth habit.
  • Annual or Perennial duration.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Parasitic plant.
  • Host to soft scale insects (Pulvinaria japonica).

Further Information

  • ITIS - Integrated Taxonomic Information System: Provides taxonomic information.
  • Dave's Garden: A community where gardeners share tips and ideas.