Cuscuta reflexa
Common dodder
Cuscuta reflexa, commonly known as Dodder, is a parasitic plant characterized by its leafless, yellow, thread-like stems. Frequently used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it possesses significant therapeutic properties. It is widely studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential, offering promising applications in treating various neurological and metabolic disorders.
- Scientific name: Cuscuta reflexa
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Cuscuta reflexa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Ultimately, it is classified under 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 reflexa, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is called 大花菟丝子 (dà huā tū sī zǐ), while in Arabic, it is known as حامول منعكس (ḥāmūl mun‘akis). Its regional names in India are equally diverse, being called ആകാശവല്ലി (ākāśavalli) in Malayalam, স্বর্নলতা (swornolata) in Bengali, and கொடியார் கூந்தல் (koṭiyār kūntal) in Tamil.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 大花菟丝子 | Wikidata |
| ar | حامول منعكس | Wikidata |
| ml | ആകാശവല്ലി | Wikidata |
| bn | স্বর্নলতা | Wikidata |
| ta | கொடியார் கூந்தல் | Wikidata |
| mr | अमरवेल | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 大花菟丝子 | Wikidata |
| ne | आकाशबेली | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 大花菟絲子 | Wikidata |
| ml | മൂടില്ലാത്താളി | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia and Africa. In East Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Kenya. Its range extends further into the Western Indian Ocean, specifically reaching the island of Mauritius. Within Western Asia, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Afghanistan. Finally, in China, it is distributed across both the South-Central and Southeast regions.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Cuscuta reflexa, is a parasitic climber that is often utilized in its entirety for various traditional medicinal purposes. The medicinal properties are distributed throughout the whole plant, as it lacks true leaves and relies on its specialized structures to thrive. Specifically, the stems serve as the primary functional component for nutrient absorption from host plants, while the juice extracted from the plant is frequently employed in various therapeutic preparations. Furthermore, the aerial parts are commonly collected and processed to harness the bioactive compounds essential for its medicinal efficacy.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| juice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cuscuta reflexa has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,6,7-trimethoxycoumarin, 5,7-dimethoxyapigenin, JCR, chlorogenic acid, coumarin.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5,6,7-trimethoxycoumarin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,7-dimethoxyapigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| JCR | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cuscutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dulcitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempherol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cuscuta reflexa has 15 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anthelmintic, Anticholinergic, Anticonvulsant.
- Total activities
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiemetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihistaminic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cuscuta reflexa has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, anticonvulsant, antihypertensive.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiotonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholinergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |