Cuscuta europaea, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 76

6. C. europaea L. , Sp. Pl. 124 (1753) .

Stems stout, much branched, often reddish. Flowers 3-4(-5) mm, 4-(5-)merous, on thickish pedicels. Glomerules 10-15 mm in diameter, numerous, each with a bract at its base. Calyx obconical, shorter than or about as long as corolla-tube; lobes ovate, obtuse, as long as or shorter than tube. Corolla campanulate, urceolate in fruit, detached from its base; lobes erect to patent, triangular to ovate, usually obtuse. Scales thin, small, shorter than corolla-tube and appressed to it, usually bifid and sparsely fimbriate, sometimes almost absent. Stamens often included. Styles (including stigmas) shorter than ovary. Capsule globose, conical or pyriform, capped by the detached corolla. Seeds c. 1 - 5 mm, sometimes united in pairs. Usually on Urtica dioica or Humulus lupulus but also on many other hosts. Throughout Europe except the extreme north and some of the islands; only on mountains in the south. All except Az BI Cr Fa Hb Is Lu Sb Si.