Cuscuta epithymum

Spotted blue silk ( Cuscuta epithymum )

The black-spotted blue silk ( Cuscuta epithymum ) is a full parasites of the genus silk ( Cuscuta ) in the family of wind plants ( Convolvulaceae ).

Description

The thin branched, reddish stems of thyme silk wear barely recognizable remains of leaves and inconspicuous pink flower clusters. The plant is an annual. It is 20-60 cm long and blooms from July to September. The flowers are short stalked to sitting and the bell-shaped crowns. You develop into a fruit capsule with numerous seeds.

Distribution area

The area of ​​the black-spotted blue silk ranges in Europe from west England and southern Norway, Latvia and Estonia to the south to northern Spain, Italy ( including Sicily ) and Greece.

Way of life

As with all silk is already examined the seedling a host plant by the thread-like stems in a circular motion so long will rotate until it finds a suitable plant, where it can be up wind. In the case of black-spotted blue silk this happens left writhing. With their Saugfortsätzen ( haustoria ) penetrating the silk into the conducting tissue ( phloem ) one of the host plant and extracts to the growth necessary nutrient solution.

System

In addition to the nominate be distinguished:

• Cuscuta epithymum (L.) L. subsp. kotschyi (Des Moul. ) Arcang. is widespread in southern Europe.
• The Clover Silk ( Cuscuta epithymum subsp. Trifolii ( Babyl. & Gibson ) Berher ) is sometimes regarded as a separate species, on the other hand not even recognized by some authors as a subspecies.