Cuscuta rostrata

Stems orange, coarse. Inflores­cences dense, pani­culiform to glomerulate; bracts at base of clusters 1 or 2, at base of pedi­cels 0 or 1, ovate, membra­nous, margins entire, apex acute. Pedicels 0.9–2 mm. Flowers 5-merous, 4–6(–7) mm, mem­branous, not papillate; calyx yellow-brown, cupulate, 1/3–1/2 corolla tube length, divided 3/5–2/3 its length, not reticulate or shiny, lobes triangular-ovate to broadly ovate, bases overlapping, margins entire, midvein not carinate, apex obtuse; corolla white, drying creamy yellow to brownish, 3.8–5.8 mm, tube campanulate, 3–5 mm, not saccate, lobes suberect to spreading or reflexed, ovate, 1/4–1/3 corolla tube length, margins entire, apex rounded, straight; infrastaminal scales oblong to obovate, 1.5–2.8 mm, 1/2–2/3 corolla tube length, bridged at 0.5–0.7 mm, rounded, sparsely fimbriate at base, more dense in distal 1/2, fimbriae 0.3–0.9 mm; stamens exserted, shorter than to equaling corolla lobes; filaments 0.5–0.7 mm; anthers 0.6–0.8 × 0.4–0.5 mm; styles filiform, 1–1.5 mm, equaling ovary. Capsules broadly ovoid, 4–7 × 4–5.5 mm, with stout beak 1–1.5 mm, raised and thick­ened around relatively small interstylar aperture, not translucent, surrounded by withered corolla, indehiscent. Seeds 2–4, obcompressed to obscurely angled, ovoid to oblong, 1.7–2.5 × 1.3–1.6 mm, hilum region subterminal.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: forests, especially along streams.
Elevation: 800–2000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ga., Ky., Md., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.

Discussion

Cuscuta rostrata is distinguished by its relatively large flowers, beaked capsules, and Appalachian range.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.