Family: Convolvulaceae
Author: Krock.
Bibliography: Fl. Siles. 1: 261 (1787)
Year: 1787
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cuscuta
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Mongolia and Pakistan
Description
Hop dodder, scientifically known as Cuscuta lupuliformis, is a fascinating parasitic plant belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. Originally documented in 1787 by Krock in “Fl. Siles. 1: 261,” this plant has garnered attention for its unique parasitic lifestyle and widespread distribution across Europe, extending to Mongolia and Pakistan.
As a member of the Convolvulaceae family, hop dodder exhibits the characteristic traits of parasitic vines found within this group. It typically lacks chlorophyll and does not perform photosynthesis independently. Instead, it derives nutrients and water through specialized structures called haustoria, which it uses to attach to and penetrate the stems of host plants, siphoning off their resources. Despite its parasitic nature, hop dodder plays a role in its native ecosystems, contributing to the complex interactions within plant communities.
Widely distributed from European regions to the vast landscapes of Mongolia and Pakistan, hop dodder demonstrates remarkable adaptability to various climates and environments. This expansive range highlights its resilience and ability to thrive across diverse habitats.
Hop dodder is particularly noted for its distinctive yellowish or orange, thread-like stems that entwine around host plants. During its growth cycle, it produces small, inconspicuous flowers that add to its intriguing morphology. Due to its parasitic nature, hop dodder is often observed on a variety of host plants, making it a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists studying plant interactions and parasitism.
In summary, Cuscuta lupuliformis, or hop dodder, is a striking example of a parasitic plant within the Convolvulaceae family, known for its unique lifestyle and its widespread presence from Europe to Mongolia and Pakistan. Its ability to parasitize a range of host plants and adapt to different environments continues to make it a noteworthy species in the study of botanical parasitism and ecosystem dynamics.
Common Names
Nld: hopwarkruid
Dan: humle-silke, pile-silke
Deu: pappel-seide, pappelseide
Eng: hop dodder
Swe: videsnärja
En: Hop dodder
Da: Humle-silke, Pile-silke
Nl: Hopwarkruid
De: Pappel-Seide, Pappelseide
Sv: Videsnärja
Synonyms
- Aplostylis lupuliformis ((Krock.) Raf.)
- Monogynella lupuliformis ((Krock.) Hadac & Chrtek)
Distribution
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Germany (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jun 25, 2020 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 25, 2020 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:267525-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3678256)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cuscuta lupuliformis Krock.)
