4. Cuscuta coryli Engelm. (hazel dodder)

Pl. 364 d; Map 1586

Stems relatively slender, usually less than 1 mm in diameter. Flowers 1.5–2.0 mm long, with succulent, strongly granular to papillate surfaces, subtended by at most 1 lanceolate to ovate bract (usually none), in dense to loose cymose clusters on short side branches, the pedicels usually shorter than the flowers. Calyces about as long as the corolla tube, 3- or 4(5)-lobed 1/2–2/3 of the way to base, the lobes triangular-ovate, pointed at the tip, slightly overlapping basally, but not angled. Corollas narrowed or tapered to 3 or 4 sharply pointed lobes, these erect, with incurved tips. Infrastaminal scales not reaching filament bases, reduced to 2 narrow, toothed lobes along the vein below each filament. Fruits globose to depressed-globose, the wall thickened around the aperture between style bases. Seeds 1.4–1.6 mm long. 2n=30. July–September.

Relatively uncommon and widely scattered (eastern and southwestern U.S.). Stream banks, bottomland forests, and prairies. Parasitic on various woody and herbaceous hosts, including species of Aster, Campsis, Corylus, Desmodium, Eupatorium, Helianthus, Iresine, Justicia, Salix, Solidago, and Toxicodendron.