Cuscuta gronovii

Species category

Weed

Common name

scaldweed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Globose with two flat adjoining surfaces

Size

  • Length 1.5–2.2 mm
  • Width 1.2–1.9 mm
  • Thickness 1.2–1.9 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

GranularGranular:
Resembling or consisting of small grains or particles.

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is more easily seen and red-colored.

Identification notes

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is more conspicuous and not in an indentation.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

All species of Cuscuta are regulated as plant pests and require a pest permit for importation or interstate movement, but not all species are listed on the federal noxious weed list. Learn more about Cuscuta spp. on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet, Cuscuta spp.

Nomenclature

Family

Cuscutaceae

Valid name

Cuscuta gronovii Willd. ex Schult.

 Cuscuta gronovii.  Seeds with a conspicuous hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cuscuta gronovii. Seeds with a conspicuous hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Cuscuta gronovii.  Seeds with a conspicuous, red-colored hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cuscuta gronovii. Seeds with a conspicuous, red-colored hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Cuscuta gronovii.  Seed capsules. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cuscuta gronovii. Seed capsules. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.