Cassytha — 3 species
Botanical species in the genus Cassytha recorded in the PlantPeers database.
Cassytha filiformis
Cassytha filiformis
Family: Lauraceae
Cultivation
A plant of the lowland tropics, it is found both in moist and dry regions. Dodder laurel can be partially or totally parasitic. When the stems are green they contain chlorophyll and are able to photosynthesize and thus do not depend entirely upon the host for nutrient.
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Cassytha melantha
Cassytha melantha
Family: Lauraceae
Cultivation
A parasitic plant, Cassytha strongly favours Eucalyptus species as a host. If a seedling finds a suitable host, the Cassytha will begin climbing into it, attaching itself to the host and drawing nutrients from it. The portion of the plant that initially germinated and grew from the ground will then die off to leave the Cassytha totally dependant upon the host for food.
Full cultivation guide →