Cuscuta obtusiflora

Species category

Weed

Common name

Peruvian 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 1.2–1.9 mm
  • Width 1–1.5 mm
  • Thickness 1–1.5 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 inconspicuous and located in a slight indentation.

Identification notes

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is circular, 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 obtusiflora Kunth

Synonyms

Cuscuta australis R. Br.

 Cuscuta obtusiflora.  Granular seeds with a hilum located in a slight indentation. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cuscuta obtusiflora. Granular seeds with a hilum located in a slight indentation. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Cuscuta obtusiflora.  Granular seeds with a circular hilum that's difficult to see. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cuscuta obtusiflora. Granular seeds with a circular hilum that's difficult to see. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.