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Description
Cuscuta Compacta, also known as compact dodder or compact cuscuta, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. It is a leafless vine that coils around the host plant and sucks nutrients and water from it. This plant is commonly found in North America, particularly in the eastern parts of the United States and Canada. It is a problematic weed that can cause significant damage to crops and ornamental plants.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus | Cuscuta |
Appearance
Cuscuta Compacta is a slender, yellowish-orange vine that can grow up to 2 meters long. It has small, scale-like leaves that are reduced to tiny bracts. The stem of this plant is thin and thread-like, and it coils around the host plant in a counterclockwise direction. This plant produces small, white or pink flowers that are about 2-4 mm in diameter. The fruit of Cuscuta Compacta is a small, round capsule that contains several seeds.
Care Guide
Cuscuta Compacta is a parasitic plant that does not require any care once it has attached itself to a host plant. However, if you want to grow this plant as an ornamental, it can be challenging. Here are some tips on how to care for Cuscuta Compacta:- Water: This plant does not require any watering as it obtains all its nutrients and water from the host plant.- Fertilization: Cuscuta Compacta does not require any fertilization.- Soil: This plant does not require any soil as it obtains all its nutrients and water from the host plant.- Sunlight: Cuscuta Compacta prefers full sunlight but can also grow in partial shade.- Hardiness Zones: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Common Pests & Diseases
Cuscuta Compacta is not susceptible to any pests or diseases as it obtains all its nutrients and water from the host plant. However, it can cause significant damage to crops and ornamental plants by choking them out.
Habitat
Cuscuta Compacta is commonly found in North America, particularly in the eastern parts of the United States and Canada. It grows in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, waste areas, and along roadsides.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Cuscuta Compacta a harmful plant?
A: Yes, Cuscuta Compacta is a parasitic plant that can cause significant damage to crops and ornamental plants by choking them out.
Q: Can Cuscuta Compacta be grown as an ornamental plant?
A: Yes, Cuscuta Compacta can be grown as an ornamental plant, but it can be challenging.
Q: Does Cuscuta Compacta require any care?
A: Cuscuta Compacta is a parasitic plant that does not require any care once it has attached itself to a host plant.
Q: What is the habitat of Cuscuta Compacta?
A: Cuscuta Compacta is commonly found in North America, particularly in the eastern parts of the United States and Canada. It grows in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, waste areas, and along roadsides.
Related Plants
– Cuscuta Epithymum- Cuscuta Gronovii- Cuscuta Pentagona- Cuscuta Salina- Cuscuta Tenuiflora
References
– Flora of North America. (n.d.). Cuscuta Compacta Jussieu. Flora of North America. https://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415902- Colorado State University Extension. (n.d.). Dodder. Colorado State University Extension. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/dodder-5-547/
