Common Dodder

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Beggar weed
• Devil's gut
• Dodder
• Dodder of thyme
• Greater dodder
• Hell weed
• Indian dodder
• Lesser dodder
• Scald weed
• Strangle tare

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Monogynella reflexa
• Kadurias reflexa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cuscuta reflexa is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit diverse montane and sub-montane landscapes. It thrives across a significant vertical gradient, with its presence recorded from a minimum elevation of 400 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 2800 m AMSL. Within this vast range, the species maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1850 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecological zones. This ability to colonize varying elevations suggests a high degree of environmental plasticity, enabling it to adapt to the shifting climatic conditions and host availability found across these different topographic levels.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cuscuta reflexa is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a parasitic organism, its biological progression is intimately tied to the availability of suitable host plants, which provide the necessary nutrients and carbohydrates required for its survival and reproduction. The life cycle typically begins with the germination of seeds in the soil, after which the plant develops delicate, thread-like stems that actively search for a host. Upon establishing contact with a host, the plant develops specialized structures called haustoria that penetrate the host's vascular tissues to facilitate nutrient uptake. Throughout its perennial existence, the plant undergoes cycles of vegetative growth and flowering, eventually producing seeds that contribute to the next generation, ensuring its continued presence within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cuscuta reflexa is characterized by its specialized growth form as a non-woody, herbaceous forb. Functioning as an obligatory parasite, it lacks the structural independence of typical flora, instead manifesting as a climbing organism that is not self-supporting but rather relies on host structures for stability. Although its ecological niche is primarily terrestrial, its biological nature is defined by its parasitic dependency rather than traditional epiphytic classifications. As a non-woody plant, its slender, thread-like stems weave through host vegetation, lacking the lignified tissues found in shrubs or trees, and strictly adhering to its role as an obligatory parasite to sustain its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

obligatory

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cuscuta reflexa is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and delicate floral structures. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through October, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces inflorescences that are notably small in scale, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.015 meters to a maximum of 0.03 meters.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Inflorescence length max:

0.03 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.015 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cuscuta reflexa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Chemicals

Cuscuta reflexa has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include kaempferol, 5,6,7-Trimethoxycoumarin, 5,7-Dimethoxyapigenin, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CHLOROGENIC ACID.

kaempferol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

5,6,7-Trimethoxycoumarin

1. Natural product research

5,7-Dimethoxyapigenin

1. Natural product research

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Natural product research

Cuscutin

1. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

JCR

1. Toxicology reports

Kaempherol

1. Natural product research

Mangiferin

1. Dr. Duke

N-PENTATRIACONTANE

1. Natural product research

Activities

Cuscuta reflexa has 184 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anthelmintic, Antidiabetic, Antihistaminic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
5. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicology reports
3. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicology reports

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Antihistaminic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicology reports

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

Cardiotonic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Cuscuta reflexa has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, anticonvulsant, antihypertensive.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations