Tasmania
has three species of the almost leafless parasite, Cuscuta
(dodder). The native species (C. tasmanica) is a
small saltmarsh parasite. Two introduced species can
superficially resemble Cassytha
species.
The genus has sometimes been classed in a separate family
(Cuscutaceae), but phylogenetic analysis clearly shows
that Cuscuta is part of Convolvulaceae.
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University of Tasmania
