Cuscuta epithymum Dodder R DD N
This native parasitic plant is found quite often on a Gorse host as this one was. Its flowers are significantly larger than C. campestris and the stems are red. However you can sometimes find Cuscuta epithymum which lacks the red colour according to the Societe Guernaise and that form has yellow stems not entirely unlike C. campestris. The large photo (thumbnail below) shows the yellow form parisitising Galium verum (Lady's-bedstraw).
Cuscuta epithymum prefers the warmer southern counties of the British Isles and records diminish as you go north. There are a few records in Wales, Ireland and Scotland but not many.
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| Cuscuta epithymum Yellow | Cuscuta epithymum Close |
Bude Downs, North Cornwall, 19th July 2008
Added on 9th December 2008, updated 21st March 2010, updated Se3 4th May 2010