Cuscuta australis
Cuscuta australis, commonly known as dodder, is a parasitic plant characterized by its leafless, yellowish, thread-like stems. Lacking chlorophyll, it relies entirely on host plants for nutrients via specialized structures called haustoria. Despite its parasitic nature, it holds significant ethnobotanical importance in traditional medicine for various healing applications.
- Scientific name: Cuscuta australis
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Cuscuta australis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with the genus Cuscuta.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Convolvulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cuscuta | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cuscuta australis, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Azerbaijani, it is called Avstraliyya qızılsarmaşığı, while in Chinese, it is known as 南方菟丝子 (simplified) or 菟絲子 (traditional). In Arabic, the plant is identified as حامول جنوبي, and in Japanese, it is called マメダオシ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| az | Avstraliya qızılsarmaşığı | Wikidata |
| zh | 南方菟丝子 | Wikidata |
| ar | حامول جنوبي | Wikidata |
| ja | マメダオシ | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 菟絲子 | Wikidata |
| arz | حامول جنوبى | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 南方菟丝子 | Wikidata |
| zh | 飞扬藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 菟丝 | Wikidata |
| zh | 欧洲菟丝子 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented in both Hungary and Switzerland. Moving toward the southwestern reaches of the continent, it is found in France and Portugal. Additionally, the species inhabits the island of Corse within the southwestern European territory. Together, these locations define the known geographical range of Cuscuta australis.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Türkiye-in-Europe | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cuscuta australis, is a parasitic climber that lacks functional roots and leaves, instead relying on a specialized structure to survive. The stem is its most prominent feature, appearing as a thin, yellowish, thread-like filament that coils tightly around a host plant to extract nutrients. Throughout its life cycle, the plant produces small seeds that are dispersed to find new hosts, ensuring the continuation of the species through its parasitic survival strategy.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cuscuta australis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hyperoside, kaempferol, quercetin, astragalin, caffeic acid glucoside.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hyperoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| astragalin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diosmetin glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| feruloylquinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside-7-O-beta-D-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cuscuta australis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperlipidemic, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cuscuta australis has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fibrosis, infertility.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fibrosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |