Cuscuta europaea Great Dodder RR DD N
Although the reddish stems and flower shape is very similar to the much commoner Cuscuta epithymum (Dodder), the actual flower size of Cuscuta europaea is clearly larger. The primary host of this parasitising plant is Urtica dioica (Nettle) although it will use other species. C. epithymum is more often to be found on flowering shrubs like Ulex (Gorse) or Erica (Heathers). The sepals on these flowers are obtuse according to Stace while those on C. epithymum are acute.
As well as this well known site in Gloucestershire, C. europaea is found mostly in the south east of England with a very few older records north of the midlands. C. europaea has not been recorded from Ireland or Wales and the few records from Scotland are pre-war.
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| Cuscuta europaea |
Near Ashleworth, Gloucestershire 24th September 2010
Added on 24th September 2010