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bushclover dodder

Scientific Name: Cuscuta pentagona var. pubescens

Family: Cuscutaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Vine, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Bushclover Dodder

Bushclover Dodder is a parasitic plant found in North America with various host plants, especially those in the Aster family.

Scientific Name and Nomenclature

  • Accepted Scientific Name: Cuscuta pentagona Engelm.
  • Common Names: Bushclover Dodder, Field Dodder, Five-angled Dodder, Prairie Dodder, Lespedeza Dodder
  • Synonyms: Cuscuta arvensis, Cuscuta campestris, Grammica campestris, Grammica pentagona, Cuscuta glabrior
  • Family: Cuscutaceae

Taxonomic Rank

Several varieties of Cuscuta pentagona are recognized, including:

  • 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 plant with a wide range of hosts.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Vine, Forb/herb.
  • Annual or Perennial.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Parasitizes other plants, including members of the Aster family and bush clovers (Lespedeza sp.).

Further Information

  • ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System): Authoritative taxonomic resource.
  • Dave's Garden: Online community for sharing gardening tips and plant information.