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Giant Dodder (Cuscuta reflexa)

Description

Cuscuta reflexa, the giant dodder, is one of 100-170 species in the genus Cuscuta. This plant species is common in the Indian Subcontinent. This parasitic plant species is a leafless twined sprawling thin vine that grows over a host plant. This species capable of producing numerous branches which can cover the host plant within a very short period of time and suck life out of the host plant. Flowers are small, bell shaped and white in colour with yellow filaments. Fruits and seeds are produced from the flower. This species is used in producing traditional medicines for the treatment of headache, labour pain, bone fracture, fever, rheumatism etc.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum:

        • Class: Magnoliopsida

          • Order: Solanales

            • Family: Convolvulaceae

              • Genus: Cuscuta