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Accession Data:

Cuscuta europea L.

  • Common Name: Common Dodder
  • Family: Convolvulaceae Juss.

  • Country of Origin: Eurasia and North Africa
  • Habitat: previously assigned to Cuscutaceae

  • Description: holoparasite on various species.
  • Uses: The seeds are alterative, anthelmintic and carminative[240, 243]. They are used in the treatment of bilious disorders[240]. The stems are used in the treatment of bilious disorders[243]. The whole plant is laxative in effect">purgative[240, 243]. It is used internally in treating protracted fevers and externally in the treatment of body pains and itchy skin[240, 243, 272]. The plant is employed in Ayurvedic medicine to treat difficulty in urinating, jaundice, muscle pain and coughs[254]. The juice of the plant, mixed with the juice of Saccharum officinarum, is used in the treatment of jaundice[272]. The analysis of the plant differs according to the host it is growing on[240]. The report does not say if this makes a difference to its medicinal properties[K]. (Taken directly from Plants For A Future)

    • IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.
  • Culture: Parasite - grow on Coleus, Impatiens etc. Surface sow near base of host plant.

Accession Data:

  • Accession # 199800133
  • Source: Tim Devine - CSU Chico
  • Accession Date: 09-17-1998
  • Bench: 6901 - Array 1, Tank 1
    • Currently: active - healthy
    • Qty: 4 confirmed on 07-26-2023
  • Restrictions:
    • Federally Listed Noxious Weed - Plants are not to leave Greenhouse!
    • Potentially Invasive Plant - Plants are not to leave Greenhouse!

Classification:

  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • SubClass: euasterid I
  • Order: Solanales
  • SubOrder:
  • Family: Convolvulaceae
  • SubFamily: Convolvuloideae
  • Tribe: Cuscuteae
  • SubTribe:

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:
YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005

References (internal):

  • Medicinal Plants
  • Parastic Plant Species
  • Invasive Species
  • EEB 3271 - Systematic Botany
  • EEB 3203 - Developmental Plant Morphology

References (external):

  1. Personal communication with Tim Devine, CSU-Chico 1998
  2. Background on the genus Cuscuta from Colin Purrington's lab at Swarthmore

data regenerated on Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:57:44 -0500 [bcm v4.0]

Images:

Cuscuta europea

Additional images for this accession:

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Current Accessions in the Convolvulaceae

Subfamily Convolvuloideae
Tribe Convolvuleae

  • Calystegia sepium

Subfamily Convolvuloideae
Tribe Cresseae

  • Evolvulus glomeratus

Subfamily Convolvuloideae
Tribe Cuscuteae

  • Cuscuta europea

Subfamily Convolvuloideae
Tribe Ipomoeeae

  • Argyreia nervosa ssp. nervosa
  • Ipomoea batatas
  • Ipomoea bolusiana
  • Ipomoea horsfalliae
W/C = Wild Collected
= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= accession added within past 90 days
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