Cuscuta reflexa

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Botanical Name : Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Synonyms : Cuscuta verrucosa Sweet
Common Name : Amarvel
Plant Family : Convolvulaceae
Plant Form : Climbers
Occurrence (Sectors) : 8, 15, 23, 28
Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park

Habit : A parasitic twiner, leafless, smooth, pale greenish-yellow.
Flowers :
- White, in umbellate clusters or short racems, bracteates, bracts ovate-oblong.
- Calyx small, divided, lobes 5, fleshy.
- Corolla-tube cylindric, lobes 5, deltoid, reflexed, with large, obovate scales at the base of the corolla-tube, lobes fimbriate and inflexed at the apex.
- Stamens 5, in the throat of the corolla-tube.
- Ovary superior, ovoid, style simple, stigmas 2, large.
Fruit : Capsules globose, seeds large black.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : December - February
Significance : It is parasitic in nature and causes harm to the host.