Downy dodder-laurel
Cassytha pubescens
Family: Lauraceae
What it is like
A climber. It grows attached to other plants and feeds from them. It appears to not have leaves. It forms dense mats over other plants. The stems are fine and yellow and hairy. They attach to plants by suckers. It climbs 2-3 m high and spreads 2-3.5 m wide. The young stems and flower heads are covered in downy hairs. There are 3-10 flowers in a dense cluster. They are 5 mm wide. They do not have stalks. The fruit are small and round. They are green and fleshy. They are 1 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm wide.
There are 15-20 Cassytha species. Sometimes they are in the family Cassythaceae.
Where it is found
It grows in coastal and inland areas. It grows in drier regions. It gets its nutrition and water from other plants. It will often kill the host. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
CAUTION: Some Cassytha have an alkaloid that can cause abortion and should not therefore be eaten by pregnant women. The small fruit are eaten and used as flavouring in baking.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Dodder laurel, Velvety devil’s twine