Peruvian Dodder
Cuscuta obtusiflora
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States
iNaturalist: © er1kksen (iNaturalist #3662380)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Convolvulaceae
- Genus:
- Cuscuta
- Species:
- Cuscuta obtusiflora
- USDA Symbol:
- CUOB
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in wetlands and marshy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require host plant proximity and chemical cues from host roots to stimulate germination and attachment. Scarification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI