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Flowers


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Cuscuta pentagona - fiveangled dodder

Synonyms: Cuscuta arvensis, C.pentagona var. pentagona, Grammica pentagona
Other Common Names: Bush-Clover dodder, field dodder, lespedeza dodder
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Cuscutaceae


   
 
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Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native   Life Cycle: Annual or perennial   Similar Species: Cuscuta grovonii, C. indecora var. neuropetala, C. campestris
General Desc: Vine with pale orange or pinkish-yellow stems, climbing on other plants and attaching to them to invade tissue of the host plant to absorb food.
Identification notes: Parasitic vine to 20 inches long; 5 petals fuse half way, separate into 5 flaring narrowly triangular lobes, tips pointed; 5 sepals; 5 stamens; stigma head-like; compact round flower clusters; fruit mostly 2-seeded; common on clover hosts.
Height: Over 20 inches long


Habitat

Habitat Description: Occasional, in a variety of habitats from prairies, sandy flats, old fields, sandstone ledges and disturbed soils. Collection in Watson Woods.
Plant Communities: Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Not determined


Flower Characteristics

Color: White to greenish-white     Shape: Bell-shaped in round clusters     Tubular: Y     Flowering Period: Jul - Oct
Description: Many, stalkless, white to greenish-white, tiny, radially symmetric, somewhat bell-shaped (about as tall as wide), with 5 flaring or bent backward, pointed petal lobes, 5 sepals and 5 stamens; small, compact flower clusters are very short-stalked.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Pale orange or pinkish-yellow     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Narrow     Leaf Margin: Smooth     Leaf Attachment: Alternate     Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: No     Spines: N
Leaf Description: Alternate, pale orange or pinkish-yellow stems; leaves very small, scale-like.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Small, somewhat rounded, 2-seeded, membranous capsules. The withered petal tube remains attached as a cup to the base of the fruit.


  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
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Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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