Plants of
South Australia
Cuscuta tasmanica
Convolvulaceae
Golden Dodder,
Tasmanian Dodder
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Prior names

Cuscuta tasmanica var. brevistyla

Common names

Golden Dodder

Tasmanian Dodder

Etymology

Cuscuta from the Italian and Neo-Latin 'cuscuta', which is from the Arabic 'kushuta' meaning to bend; referring to the twining habit of the stem. Tasmanica of or from Tasmania; referring to where the type specimen was collected from.

Distribution and status

Only found in the South-east in South Australia around Salt Creek and Beachport, growing around saline areas and brackish marshes where usually parasitic on species of Wilsonia and Chenopodiaceae. Native. Very rare in South Australia. Rare in Tasmania. Common in the other states.
Herbarium region: South Eastern
NRM region: South East
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Annual, parasitic plant with yellow or red thread-like stems, twining and attached to the host plant. Once attached to a host, the stem decays near the base and severs connection to the root. Leaves reduced to small scales. Inflorescent in clusters of 2-5 golden yellow flowers. Flowering between December and May. Fruits are orange depressed-globular capsule to 3.8 mm diameter. Seed embryo type is folded.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between January and June. Collect capsules that are maturing, turning brown and contain hard seeds inside. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for one to two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand or with a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.