Cuscuta exaltata
Family: Convolvulaceae
Plant Description: Large thick-stemmed vine parasitizing mainly Persea and Quercus. Orange to yellow, stringy. Flowers white, Styles united
Plant Trivia: Six species of Cuscuta in our area.
Field Identification: Looks like mass of string or pieces of plastic piled on top of plants.
Occurrence: Rather frequent in coastal woods from Aransas refuge to Flour Bluff.
Bloom Period: July-October
Plant Use:
Key to the species of Cuscuta:
- Styles united…………………………………………………………………………………..C. exaltata
Styles separate……………………………………………………………………………………………….2
2. Calyx of separate sepals……………………………………………………………C. cuspidata
Calyx tubular below………………………………………………………………………………………3
3. Fruits globose, not thickened at base of styles………………………………………..4
Fruits globose-ovoid, thickened at base of styles…………………C. indecora
4. Calyx with spurlike projections at base……………………………………C. runyonii
Calyx not spurred…………………………………………………………………………………………5
5. Corolla lobes shorter than tube, ovate………………………………C. obtusiflora
Corolla lobes as long as tube, triangular……………………………C. pentagona
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