Lesser Dodder
Cuscuta epithymum
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
Cuscuta epithymum is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Parasitic on heather and gorse.
Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Spain and east to the Caucasus and central Asia.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Native to Europe, West Asia and northern Africa, an introduced species in North America, South America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
Lesser dodder is considered to be a valuable though little used herbal remedy that supports the liver, being used for problems affecting the liver and gallbladder. The whole plant is antibilious, appetizer, carminative, cholagogue, mildly diuretic, hepatic, laxative and antiscorbutic. A decoction of the stems is used in the treatment of urinary complaints, kidney, spleen and liver disorders, jaundice, sciatica and scorbutic complaints. It also has a reputation as an anticancer agent and as a specific for gout. The plant should not be used by anyone suffering from haemorrhoids. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
This is a parasitic species that is devoid of leaves, roots or chlorophyll and so is totally dependant upon its host. A climbing plant, it must be grown close to a host plant around which it will twine itself and which it will penetrate with suckers in order to obtain nutriment. The flowers emit a remarkably sweet perfume that is especially pronounced towards evening.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, by lodging it among the stems of a host plant.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
A noxious weed in 13 U.S. States. Not proved to be a highly invasive species, but there are very significant risks of accidental introduction with contaminated crop seed.
Its other names
Local names
Alfalfa dodder; clover dodder; common dodder. Spanish: cuscuta del trebol; epitimo. French: cuscute du thym; cuscute du thyme; cuscute du trefle. Portuguese: cabelos. Belgium: klaverwarkruid. Denmark: klover-silke. Finland: apilanvieras. Germany: Klee- Seide; Ouendel-Seide; Thymian-Seide. Italy: cuscuta del trifoglio; cuscuta piccola. Netherlands: duivelsnaaigaren; klein Warkruid. New Zealand: devil's gut. South Africa: klein dodder; lesser dodder. Sweden: kloeversnaerja.