CUSCUTAL. - DODDER
Scientific Description:
Stems filiform to moderately robust, twining, white to red. Flowers small, (2−)4−5−merous, sessile or shortly pedicellate. Calyx and corolla tubular to campanulate, whitish or variously coloured. Stamens inserted in throat or very shortly produced beyond it; scales mostly present, equalling stamens in number, attached to corolla below filament attachment, simple or bifid, usually ± fimbriate, dentate or fimbriate-ciliate. Styles 2 or united into 1, distinct to obsolete; stigma(s) capitate or linear-elongate. Capsule ± membranous, irregularly or regularly circumscissile near base or indehiscent. Seeds small, 4 or fewer. Embryo filiform, coiled, lacking cotyledons.
Reference:
Plitmann U (1978). Cuscuta L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 6: 222−223.
Public Description:
Cuscuta is a genus of yellow, orange, red or rarely green parasitic plants, known as “dodder”, and is found throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world, with the greatest species diversity in subtropical and tropical regions. There are approximately 171 species in the world and 18 species (21 taxa) in Türkiye. Some species are used for osteoporosis in China and some other Asian countries and also some are used traditional Chinese medicine which is believed to strengthen the liver and kidneys.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuscuta/, Accessed date: 07.02.2016.
Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Cuscuta.aspx/, Accessed date: 07.02.2016.
Anonymous 3 (2016). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Convolvulaceae/Cuscuta/, Accessed date: 07.02.2016.
Kandemir A (2012). Cuscuta L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 378–380.
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