Cuscuta gracilis Rydb.
-
Authority
New York Botanical Garden. Herbarium of Dr. Per Axel Rydberg. Purchased, 1899. Contributions from the New York Botanical Garden.
-
Family
Cuscutaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Species Description - Stem filiform, about .25 mm. in diameter. Flowers in dense globular clusters: calyx gamoscpalous but cleft to near the base, lobes ovate: corolla urceolate, less than 2 mm. high, lobes ovate, widely spreading, acute, delicate, about 1 mm. long; scales ovate, crenate, not divided, almost half as long as the corolla-tube: filaments subulate, about twice as long as the anthers: styles distinct, equal, about as long as and somewhat thicker than the red filiform curved stigmas: capsule about 2 mm. high, acute-globose, circumscissile near the base: seeds about 1 mm. long.
-
Discussion
This species is nearest related to C. epilinum, which, however, has shorter and broader corolla-lobes, shorter filaments, scarcely longer than the anthers and short emarginate and crenate scales. C. gracilis grows parasitic on species of Erigeron, Chrysothamaus and Solanum.
Wyoming: Rolling plains between Sheridan and Buffalo, 1900, F. Tweedy, 3292 (type) ; Laramie, 1894, Aven Nelson, 1139
-
Distribution
Wyoming
Wyoming United States of America North America|