Cuscutaceae

/ˌkʌskjuːˈteɪsiː/ noun

Definition

The family name for a group of parasitic flowering plants, including all species of dodder and cuscuta.

Etymology

From the genus name Cuscuta with the addition of '-aceae,' the standard scientific suffix for plant families in botanical nomenclature.

Kelly Says

Cuscutaceae used to be classified as part of the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) family, but DNA evidence revealed they're so specialized as parasites that they evolved into their own separate family!

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