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Cuscuta chinensis - Lam.

Common Name Chinese Dodder
Family Convolvulaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Near seashores, C. and S. Japan[58]. Fields, open mountain slopes, thickets and sandy beaches at elevations up to 3,000 metres in most parts of China[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cuscuta chinensis Chinese Dodder


http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/
Cuscuta chinensis Chinese Dodder
http://flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Cuscuta chinensis is a PERENNIAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aphrodisiac  Demulcent  Diaphoretic  Hepatic  Kidney  Ophthalmic  Tonic

A lotion made from the stems is used in the treatment of sore heads and inflamed eyes[218]. The seed is aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, hepatic and tonic[176, 178, 218, 240]. It is decocted and used with other herbs to treat a variety of ailments[218]. In particular, it is used in the treatment of impotence, nocturnal emissions, vertigo, lumbago, leucorrhoea, frequent micturation, decreased eyesight, threatened abortion and chronic diarrhoea[176].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. This is a parasitic species that is devoid of leaves, roots or chlorophyll and so is totally dependant upon its host[238]. It is most commonly found growing on plants in the families Leguminosae, Compositae and Zygophyllaceae and must be grown next to the host plant, which it penetrates with suckers in order to obtain nutriment[238, 266].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, by lodging it among the stems of a host plant[238].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cuscuta epithymumLesser DodderAnnual1.0 0-0  LMHSNM020
Cuscuta europaeaGreater dodderAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHSNM020
Cuscuta japonicaJapanese DodderAnnual Climber1.0 5-9  LMHSNM120
Cuscuta megalocarpaBigfruit DodderPerennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Cuscuta reflexaDodder, Giant dodderPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM020
Cuscuta umbellataFlatglobe dodder 0.0 0-0  LMHSNM100

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Lam.

Botanical References

58266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Nakul   Wed Sep 10 2008

Cuscuta chinensis can use as a s antidiuretics

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