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Cuscuta indecora

Choisy

Pretty Dodder

G5Secure Found in 10 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.155507
Element CodePDCUS010W0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilyConvolvulaceae
GenusCuscuta
Other Common Names
Bigseed Alfalfa Dodder (EN) bigseed alfalfa dodder (EN) Collared Dodder (EN) Cuscute inélégante (FR) Large Alfalfa Dodder (EN) Large-seed Dodder (EN) Showy Dodder (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
This record is for the broad treatment of Cuscuta indecora that includes C. jepsonii as indistinct from typical C. indecora, as recognized in Kartesz (1994 and 1999). Costea et al. (2006) and Costea and Stefanovic (2009) present evidence to support treating C. jepsonii as distinct and Costea and Nesom in FNA (2023, vol. 14) recognize it.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-06-26
Change Date1984-02-29
Edition Date2024-06-26
Edition AuthorsJohnson, J. (2024)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Cuscuta indecora is an annual or perennial vine that parasitizes a variety of plants across southern North America and northern South America. It is also non-native in southern South America. With a large range extent, few threats, over 300 occurrences, and broad habitat preferences for abundant habitat, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Cuscuta indecora is widespread across the United States from Washington state to New England, south to Mexico, Central and northern South America (FNA 2023, POWO 2024) It is also found in southern South America where it is non-native (POWO 2024). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are more than 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Cuscuta indecora occasionally parasitizes alfalfa and other crop plants and may be sprayed with herbicides to control it. Herbicide treatments typically suppress populations but rarely eradicate them (Dodds 2022).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Cuscuta indecora grows in salt marshes, bogs, pine savannas, open woods, roadsides, and other open disturbed areas (Dodds 2022).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - ConiferSavannaGrassland/herbaceousOld fieldCropland/hedgerow
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDBog/fen
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
MarylandS3Yes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
IllinoisSNRYes
DelawareSNRYes
TexasSNRYes
WashingtonSNRYes
KansasSNRYes
MassachusettsSHYes
UtahSNRYes
OhioS1Yes
ConnecticutSNRYes
KentuckySNRYes
MinnesotaSNRYes
ArkansasSNRYes
South CarolinaS1Yes
New JerseySNRYes
OregonSNRYes
New MexicoSNRYes
TennesseeSNRYes
MissouriSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
NebraskaSNRYes
ColoradoS3Yes
IdahoSNRYes
MississippiSNRYes
LouisianaSNRYes
GeorgiaSNRYes
ArizonaS4Yes
West VirginiaS1Yes
FloridaSNRYes
VirginiaS1Yes
MichiganSHYes
IowaSUYes
South DakotaSNRYes
AlabamaSNRYes
IndianaS1Yes
MontanaSNRYes
OklahomaSNRYes
NevadaSUYes
North DakotaSNRYes
WyomingS1Yes
North CarolinaSNRYes
CanadaNH
ProvinceRankNative
SaskatchewanSHYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource useRestricted - smallModerate - slightHigh (continuing)
5.2 - Gathering terrestrial plantsRestricted - smallModerate - slightHigh (continuing)
5.2.3 - Persecution/controlRestricted - smallModerate - slightHigh (continuing)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationANNUAL, PERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (10)
Arizona (6)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonPrescott National Forest10,683
Catalina St. Pk. Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest951
HackberryCoconino National Forest17,885
Lime CreekTonto National Forest42,568
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
Upper Romero WsrCoronado National Forest150
California (1)
AreaForestAcres
White LedgeLos Padres National Forest18,632
New Mexico (3)
AreaForestAcres
El InviernoSanta Fe National Forest29,927
LemitasSanta Fe National Forest8,129
Sierra Negra Rare II Study AreaCarson National Forest9,470
References (10)
  1. Costea, M. and S. Stefanovic. 2009. Cuscuta jepsonii (Convolvulaceae): an invasive weed or an extinct endemic? American Journal of Botany 96(9):1744-1750.
  2. Costea, M., G. L. Nesom, and S. Stefanovic. 2006. Taxonomy of the <i>Cuscuta indecora</i> (Convolvulaceae) complex in North America. SIDA 22(1): 209-225.
  3. Dodds, J. 2022. Cuscuta indecora var. indecora Rare Plant Profile. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, State Parks, Forests &amp; Historic Sites, State Forest Fire Service &amp; Forestry, Office of Natural Lands Management, New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, Trenton, NJ. 17 pp. [https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/docs/cuscuta-indecora-var-indecora-collared-dodder.pdf]
  4. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2023. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 14. Magnoliophyta: Gentianaceae to Hydroleaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 505 pp.
  5. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
  6. iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
  7. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  8. Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
  9. Plants of the World Online (POWO). 2024. Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Online. Available: https://powo.science.kew.org/ (accessed 2024).
  10. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).