Home > Herbs > Cuscuta

Dodder

Cuscuta · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (15 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Dodder, scientifically known as Cuscuta, is a genus of parasitic plants characterized by their leafless, thread-like stems. Lacking chlorophyll, these vines derive essential nutrients from host plants. Beyond its ecological role, Cuscuta holds significant medicinal value in traditional practices, offering various bioactive compounds used to treat diverse ailments.

Family
Convolvulaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Dodder
Scientific synonyms
Cuscutina · Grammica · 16 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Cuscuta

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Grammica
  • Cabellos de ángel

German:

  • Seide
  • Jungfernhaar
  • Kletterhur
  • Schmarotzerseide
  • Teufelszwirn
  • Seide

French:

  • Cuscute
  • cuscutes
  • Cuscute

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically categorized under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, the medicinal plant is identified under the genus Cuscuta.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Solanales
Family Convolvulaceae
Genus Cuscuta

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific presence across various regions within Northern Europe. Its distribution can be observed in the country of Denmark, where it finds suitable habitats. Additionally, it is recorded in the northern landscapes of Finland and Norway. The species is also known to occur across the waters of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range extends to the island of Ireland.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Chemicals

Cuscuta has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Fatty acids, Flavonoids, Lignans, Tannins, chlorpyrifos.

Chemicals reported in Cuscuta
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Fatty acids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Lignans 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Tannins 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
chlorpyrifos 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Fatty acids

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Flavonoids

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Lignans

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Tannins

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

chlorpyrifos

  1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Activities

Cuscuta has 7 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Antipyretic.

Activities reported in Cuscuta
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Analgesic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antihypertensive 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Analgesic

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antibacterial

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antihypertensive

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antioxidant

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antipyretic

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antitumor

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Hepatoprotective

  1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Conditions

Cuscuta has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, impotence, male sterility.

Conditions investigated for Cuscuta
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Asthma 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Impotence 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Male sterility 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Asthma

  1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Impotence

  1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Male sterility

  1. Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine