Cuscuta epithymum

Species category

Weed

Common name

clover dodder

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

Size

  • Length 1.5 mm
  • Width 1.5 mm
  • Thickness 1.5 mm

Color

Light brown

Texture

GranularGranular:
Resembling or consisting of small grains or particles.
with a hint of a reticulum

Other structures

A faint hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
which blends in with the seed surface

Identification notes

One of the largest of the Cuscuta spp. Seed surface with sandpapery texture. HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
sometimes difficult to distinguish from surrounding seed surface.

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 epithymum (L.) L.

 Cuscuta epithymum.  Granular seeds with a hilum that blends in. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cuscuta epithymum. Granular seeds with a hilum that blends in. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Cuscuta epithymum.  Granular seeds with a hint of a reticulum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cuscuta epithymum. Granular seeds with a hint of a reticulum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
From Left to Right: 1.  Cuscuta pentagona  2.  Cuscuta epithymum  3.  Cuscuta indecora . Large seeds with a sandpapery surface.
From Left to Right: 1. Cuscuta pentagona 2. Cuscuta epithymum 3. Cuscuta indecora. Large seeds with a sandpapery surface.