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MONOGRAPHY OP THE NORTH AMERICAN CUSCUTINEA3. 
As in the Entozoa , the same species inhabits only the same or some nearly related animal, so in 
the Epiphyta , each species is for the most part restricted to the same or similar plants. This is more 
constantly the case in Qrobanchece, where the germinating embryo fixes itself at once upon its favorite 
plant; but in Cuscuta, where the seed germinates in the ground, and the stem afterwards lays hold of 
the plant which affords its nourishment, it frequently twines around all the plants in the neighbor¬ 
hood, and is capable of extracting from them its food. Some species, however, are more constant in 
their predilections than others ; as, for example, the European Cuscuta Epilinum , which never grows 
on any other plant than Flax; and our Lepidanche Compositarum, which is confined to Solidago , 
Helianthus, and some other Composite. Yet several, like the European Cuscuta Epithymum and the 
American. C. Polygonorum,live promiscuously on most plants within their reach, evidently preferring, 
however, some particular species or genus, and seldom found except in its immediate vicinity. I 
have therefore ventured, as far as practicable, to name the species of Cuscuta after the plant upon 
which they grow; in accordance with the nomenclature frequently adopted of late in the case of 
parasites, especially in the genus Orobanche (Examp. Orobanche Galii, 0, Eryngii , 0. Scabiosce, 0. 
Salvice, etc.) — thereby designating an important circumstance in the history of the plant. 
Before I proceed to describe the North American species known to me, it may be well to 
present a general 
Conspectus of the species that have come under my observation. 
I. CUSCUTA, L. Sepals united into a 4-5-cleft calyx. 
§ 1. Styles united into one. 
1. C. MONOGYNA, Vcthl — Eastern Europe. - - 
§ 2. Styles two. 
* Stigmas filiform. — European. [335] 
t Flowers generally pentamerous. 
2. C. Epithymum, L. Segments of the calyx and corolla acuminate. — Europe. 
3. C. Epilinum, Weihe. Flower globose: segments of the calyx and corolla orbicular, abruptly acuminate. — Europe. 
4. C. planiflora, Tenore. Flower campanulate, open. — Italy. 
ft Flowers generally tetramerous. 
5. C. EuROP.ffiA, L. Lobes of the calyx and corolla obtuse. — Europe. 
* * Stigmas capitate. — American. 
A. Corolla cylindric, its remains covering the ripening capsule. — "• 
t Flowers generally pentamerous. ■ - y ; « - 
6. C. Chilensis, Ker. Corolla much longer than the campanulate calyx: anthers sessile. — Chili. 
ft Flowers generally tetramerous. 
7. C. Cephalanthi. Lobes of the calyx and corolla obtuse: anthers with filaments. — St. Louia, 
8. C. Coryli. Lobes of the calyx and corolla acute. — St. Louis. 
B. Corolla campanulate, its remains persistent at the base of the ripening capsule: 
f Flowers generally pentamerous. 
vulgivaga. Carinate lobes of the calyx and the lobes of the corolla obtuse. — Vermont to Georgia and Missouri 
Saururi. Smooth, lobes of the calyx and corolla obtuse. — Western New York to Missouri. 
pentagona. Lobes of the 5-angled calyx smooth, roundish; those of the corolla acuminate. —Virginia. 
VERRUCOSA. Lobes of the campanulate calyx verrueose, roundish; those of the corolla acuminate. — Texas, 
tf Flowers generally tetramerous. 
13. C. Polygonorum. Lobes of the ealyx and corolla acute. — St. Louis. 
II. LEPIDANCHE. Calyx consisting of 10-15 imbricated sepals. 
.1. L. Compositarum. Western United States. 
(1.) CUSCUTA, L. (Dodder.) 
Calyx monosepalous, 4-5-cleft, persistent. Corolla campanulate or urceolate, 4-5-cleft. Styles one or two. 
Capsule 2-celled, 4-seeded. 
Twining parasitic plants, bearing the general character of the family. The-stem is filiform, simple or generally 
branched, of a whitish, yellowish, or orange color, with scaly leaves. The inflorescence is a cyme (with a central flower 
opening first, and axillary or lateral flowers, which open afterwards), with whitish sessile or pedunculate flowers, more 
or less clustered (conglomerate) in some, and rather loose (commonly called paniculate) in other species. Some bracts 
are observable on the peduncles and pedicels, but they are always easily distinguished from the calyx. 
ras '"~r: 
1 
10 . c. 
11 . c. 
12. C. 
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■JO M I S SOU R 
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