Volume 10 > Part 3 > Year 2010 > Page 379 > Convolvulaceae > Cuscuta

1. Cuscuta campestris Yunck.wfo-0001297200

Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 18: 138. 1932; R.C.Fang et al. in C.Y.Wu & P.H, Raven, Fl. China 16: 323. 1995.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Stems pale yellowish to dull orange, 0.5–0.8 mm diam., smooth. Inflorescences lateral, usually compact globular clusters, 4–18-flowered, subsessile, axis greenish; pedicels ca 1 mm. Flowers with cupular calyx, enclosing corolla tube, ca 1.5 mm, sepals 5, oval or circular, sometimes wider than long, pale greenish white; corolla shortly campanulate, ca 2.5 mm, white, 4- or 5-lobed, lobes broadly triangular, flat, apex acute or obtuse, often reflexed; stamens ca as long as corolla lobes, filaments white, anthers ovoid, shorter than filaments, pale yellow to orange, staminal scales distinct, ovate, white, ca as long as corolla tube, fimbriate; ovary globose, greenish, styles 2, stigmas globose, green to orangish. Capsule depressed globose, ca 3 mm in diam., ca 2 mm high, brown, encircled by withered corolla at base, dehiscing irregularly. Seeds usually 3 or 4 (rarely fewer), ovoid, dull yellow.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Mai.

Distribution : Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Africa, Europe, Australia, N America (type), S America, Pacific Islands.

Ecology : Parasitizes diverse host plants in disturbed areas and in deciduous forests, 350–475 m alt. Flowering: January, March, September; fruiting: January, March, September.

Vernacular : Foi thong (ฝอยทอง)(ex Dejpat 1); khao kham (เขาคำ)(ex Maxwell 90–376).