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Summary
Physical Characteristics
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Cuscuta reflexa 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
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
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.
Alterative Anthelmintic Carminative Purgative
The seeds are alterative, anthelmintic and carminative[240, 243]. They are used in the treatment of bilious disorders[240]. The stems are used in the treatment of bilious disorders[243]. The whole plant is purgative[240, 243]. It is used internally in treating protracted fevers and externally in the treatment of body pains and itchy skin[240, 243, 272]. The plant is employed in Ayurvedic medicine to treat difficulty in urinating, jaundice, muscle pain and coughs[254]. The juice of the plant, mixed with the juice of Saccharum officinarum, is used in the treatment of jaundice[272]. The analysis of the plant differs according to the host it is growing on[240]. The report does not say if this makes a difference to its medicinal properties[K].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
We have virtually no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. One report says that it needs cold greenhouse treatment in this country[1] but some provenances from the higher parts of its range could succeed outdoors. This is a parasitic species that is devoid of leaves, roots or chlorophyll and so is totally dependant upon its host[238]. It must be grown next to the host plant, which it penetrates with suckers in order to obtain nutriment[238].
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 that is being grown in a pot in the greenhouse[238].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Dodder, giant dodder, French: cuscute; cuscute grosse.
Native Plant Search
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Afghanistan, Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet.
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.
Can be weedy or invasive. Cuscuta species are quarantine pests in many countries. Capable of serious crop damage. A 'principal' or 'serious' weed in Afghanistan, Nepal, India and Pakistan
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
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.
Expert comment
Author
Roxb.
Botanical References
1266
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