Cuscuta japonica | |
---|---|
| |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Solanales |
Family: | Convolvulaceae |
Genus: | Cuscuta |
Species: | C. japonica |
Binomial name | |
Cuscuta japonica | |
Synonyms | |
Monogynella japonica(Choisy) Hadac & Chrtek |
Cuscuta japonica, commonly known as Japanese dodder, is a parasitic vine. It has been listed by the State of California as a noxious weed. [3] It has a range of effects on its host [4] and has repeatedly been introduced to the United States of America. [5] C. japonica looks very similar to other vines, making it difficult to distinguish. [4]
The Japanese dodder is a plant that parasitizes other plants. From mild development issues to serious complications sometimes resulting in death, the Japanese dodder can cause a wide spectrum of effects on its plant host. [4] Farmers in particular can be affected by this plant, as infection leads to fewer crops they are able to harvest. [6]
Cuscuta japonica shares a similar morphology to vines, displaying stems that are mostly yellow with bits of red along it. [4] The Japanese dodder also exhibits small flowers that are "pale-yellow to cream" [7] in color and contain one circular stigma. [8] Any leaves it has are very small and "scale-like" in shape and texture. [4] Fruit produced are small and capsule-like, only carrying a couple of seeds. [9]
Cuscuta japonica can be found non-invasively in a variety of places on the continent of Asia. [9] The plant was introduced and reintroduced to the United States of America multiple times starting from the 1940s under the guise of a medicinal plant, and was thought to have been eradicated a couple of times. [5]