Cuscus

/ˈkʌskəs/ noun

Definition

A plant of the bindweed family, also called dodder, which is a parasitic vine that feeds on other plants.

Etymology

From the genus name Cuscuta, derived from Arabic 'qascūq' or Hebrew origins; the plant is known for its parasitic nature and hair-like stems.

Kelly Says

Cuscus is basically a vampire plant—it's so specialized as a parasite that it lost the ability to photosynthesize and now only survives by sucking nutrients from host plants!

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